Cardiovascular diseases in cancer patients can be reduced considerably with lower radiation given at specific positions

Studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine co-relate cardiovascular disease risks and radiation therapy. 48 patients were analyzed for study. These patients had breast cancer starting from stage 0- stage IIA. Stage IIA indicates presence of cancerous cells in 1-3 auxiliary lymph nodes but no tumour. Patients were given radiation therapy. They were studied over a period of 20-years, which was their mean life expectancy for such stages of breast cancer. Other factors like the dose of radiation, individual cardiac risks were also taken into consideration. Results showed that women who received radiation at the right side with head facing up and baseline cardiac risks were more prone to heart disease. This was in contrast to women who received similar treatment but had baseline risks and less susceptible to heart disease. Patients who received a lower dose of radiation with face down on right side showed lesser susceptibility to heart diseases.