Sociodemographic and modifiable risk factors increase odds of cardiovascular disease in AYA cancer survivors

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are at risk of experiencing treatment-related effects later in life, including heart damage. New research has identified various sociodemographic and modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in these patients. The findings are published by Wiley online at CRABa peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

The study by researchers at Duke University and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center relied on 2009-2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey, which collects information on a wide range of health topics through in-person interviews of US households . Responses from 4,766 AYA cancer survivors and 47,660 controls (no history of cancer) were included.

CVD risk was significantly higher in survivors compared with controls by sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, smoking status, and physical activity. Furthermore, household income

In the AYA survivor population, male sex, black race, household income

These results highlight the importance of long-term follow-up of AYA after cancer treatment to ensure that appropriate screenings are initiated to reduce CVD risk and to promote healthy behavioral changes, such as physical activity, that impact long-term CVD outcomes .”

Amy Berkman, MD, lead author, Duke University School of Medicine