00:00When you think about breast cancer treatment,
00:03your heart usually isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
00:06But certain treatments can affect heart health,
00:08while breast cancer and cardiovascular disease
00:11share several risk factors.
00:14This Pinktober, here's how early detection of breast cancer
00:18could help reduce the need for more aggressive treatment.
00:21Basically, when you have breast cancer,
00:24cardiovascular disease actually shares the same risk factors
00:27like obesity, smoking, and unhealthy diets.
00:31This is actually one of the aspects that can influence
00:34your cardiovascular health if you have breast cancer.
00:36Certain treatments and the nature of the disease itself
00:39can actually cause an increase in cardiovascular disease.
00:42Some hormone treatments can raise blood pressure or cholesterol,
00:45while certain chemotherapy drugs can weaken the heart muscle
00:49and lead to heart failure.
00:51Radiotherapy to the chest can also damage the heart
00:54or narrow its blood vessels.
00:55Heart damage caused by certain cancer treatments
00:58is known as cardiotoxicity.
01:00Cancer-related heart disease in breast cancer treatments
01:04occurs about 5-15% of the women treated for breast cancer.
01:09So it's actually quite common.
01:11Older women, particularly those 60 and above,
01:14and people with conditions such as high blood pressure
01:16or diabetes may face a higher risk.
01:19More intensive or prolonged breast cancer treatment
01:22can further increase that risk, even in younger patients
01:26with no previous heart problems.
01:28If you're about to start breast cancer treatment,
01:31speak to your doctor about your heart risk factors first.
01:34Your doctor may recommend blood tests,
01:37an electrocardiogram to check for abnormalities,
01:39and an echocardiogram to assess how well your heart is pumping.
01:44During treatment, watch for symptoms such as breathlessness, swollen legs, chest pain,
01:50or palpitations.
01:52Doctors may repeat a heart echo every three months or sooner if necessary.
01:56A measurement known as global longitudinal strain,
02:00obtained during the echocardiogram, can help detect early weakening of the heart.
02:05Developing a heart problem does not automatically mean cancer treatment has to stop.
02:10Doctors will assess whether the condition can be treated and work with cancer specialists
02:15to weigh the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.
02:18If we can catch it early enough, or if we can identify those patients at risk to develop it,
02:23there are certain medications that can stop or slow down the progression of the disease.
02:27Of course, it would depend on the individual's response to it,
02:30but there are things that we can do to slow down the progression.
02:33So, what can you do to protect your heart during breast cancer treatment?
02:37Stop smoking, reduce or avoid alcohol, eat a balanced diet,
02:42and keep up with recommended health screenings.
02:45Moderate intensity exercise such as brisk walking can also support heart health.
02:50Remember that the focus is still to cure your breast cancer.
02:53You can't refuse treatment on the grounds that you are scared of developing a heart problem.
02:59All of this has to be discussed thoroughly with your doctors.
03:02Try not to refuse treatment just because you're worried about something that has not happened yet.
03:06There are things that we can do to make these treatments safe for you.
03:10So, always consult your doctor before you make a decision.
03:13When you detect it early, you're detecting it at a lower stage.
03:17So, treatments that follow tend to be less aggressive.
03:20So, we would expect less risk for toxicities as well.
03:24This Pinktober take the first step by speaking to Institute Jantung Negara
03:28about its breast cancer screening services.
03:30If cost is a concern, contact the National Population and Family Development Board
03:36or cancer-related NGOs for information on free or subsidized screening.
03:41A timely check could make all the difference.
03:44Tivya Raghur and Sheila Vijan, FMT
