Millions of men in the UK living with heart disease face a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer, according to findings from a decades-long study. Researchers analysed health data from 22,000 Britons over 25 years, identifying notable gender differences in outcomes for individuals with heart disease.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Aberdeen and Keele University, found that the lifetime risk of cancer among men with cardiovascular disease (CVD) was 17.3%, compared to 12.8% for women with CVD. For those without CVD, the cancer risk was 10.2% for men and 8.2% for women.
Key factors contributing to these increased risks in men included smoking, obesity, and drinking too much alcohol. The link was particularly evident in cases of lung and oesophageal cancers. Men with CVD also showed an increased risk of dying from gastric, oesophageal, and lung cancers.
Dr Tiberiu Pana, from NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen, noted that while a relationship between cancer incidence and cardiovascular disease was known, this extensive study allowed for a more thorough examination, revealing clear differences between men and women. Professor Mamas Mamas of Keele University highlighted the need for further research to understand the reasons behind this increased risk and to develop better pathways for identifying and preventing cancer in patients with cardiac conditions.