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Advances in early detection and treatment mean cancer survivors are living longer, but with that longevity comes a whole host of other health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease. Cancer and cardiovascular disease share many risk factors, such as obesity and tobacco use, and on top of that, many cancer treatments can cause damage to the heart, with certain types of cancer leading to a greater risk of heart disease.
A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at how cancer may age the heart. Researchers found that adult male cancer survivors’ hearts appeared to be 8.5 years older than their actual age. The hearts of female cancer survivors appeared to be 6.5 years older.