Patients with cancer treated with immunotherapy are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. As cancer survival with immunotherapy is improving, it is important to address cardiovascular risk and screening in cancer patients to reduce their burden of cardiovascular disease in the years following cancer treatment. Dr Tan's PhD aims to evaluate cardiovascular risk in patients receiving immunotherapy for melanoma (skin cancer), by screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and progression of cholesterol deposition in the arteries of the heart. This will help clinicians identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease during cancer survivorship at an early stage and facilitate intensified preventative treatments. Additionally, this could guide screening policies for patients receiving immunotherapy to prevent development of cardiovascular disease and improve overall survivorship. This project is unique and reflects collaboration in the fields of Cardiology and Oncology to improve cardiovascular health in cancer patients.
This project is co-funded with NHMRC - National Health and Medical Research Council.
Last updated05 April 2022