It can promote cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in France and worldwide. Its incidence has increased significantly over the past 20 years. In 2023, 433,000 new cases were diagnosed according to the National Cancer Institute. The aging of the population contributes to this increase. A French study today establishes a direct link between frequent heart disease and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Scientists at the European Hospital George-Pompidou AP-HP, Inserm and Paris-Cité University have used information from more than 330,000 adult patients hospitalized for this heart pathology. For each patient, 3 other witness subjects, without this heart problem or prior cancer, have been selected. In total, more than 1.3 million patients were included in this vast study. The data made it possible to measure the occurrence of first cancer after the diagnosis of cardiac pathology.

After a follow -up of approximately four years, the results published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology have shown that there have been 22 new cases of cancer per year per 1,000 patients with heart failure, against 17 in those who did not suffer. “Patients with a history of heart failure have a higher risk of developing cancer than the general population” concluded the researchers. Heart insufficiency results in a weakness of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. According to French scientists, this disease would promote the appearance of cancer in 1 cases out of 6. The rise in risk mainly concerns solid cancers like that of lung, colon, and blood cancer called “multiple myeloma”.

According to researchers, this study must allow people with heart failure to benefit from reinforced monitoring to promote early screening for cancers. “These results also underline the need for a transversal approach between cardiology and oncology, opening the way to new prevention strategies and a more global management of patients with chronic diseases”they said in a statement.