Join Breast Cancer Trials and their panel of experts on Wednesday 7th August from 5 – 6:30 pm (AEST) to discuss the topic of breast cancer and heart health. While advances in breast cancer treatments have improved survival rates considerably over the last 30 years, research shows that survivors of breast cancer are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease than individuals without a history of cancer.
The free online Q&A session will explore the nature, prevalence and management of cardiotoxicity and cardiovascular disease after breast cancer. Strategies for prevention; a multidisciplinary team approach to risk management including the role of GPs and cardiologists; and self-management strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk. We will also hear a patient’s perspective on the long-term impact that breast cancer treatment had on her heart.
Women diagnosed with breast cancer, have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications, such as heart failure, heart attacks, and hypertension. Several factors contribute to this:
The relationship between breast cancer and heart health underscores the importance of comprehensive care for breast cancer patients. By better understanding this connection, health professionals and patients can take proactive steps to mitigate risk factors and monitor cardiac health and individuals can optimize their long-term health outcomes and quality of life.
The expert panel includes:
Prof Bogda Koczwara – Available to interview before the 14th of July.
Professor Bogda Koczwara is a senior staff specialist in medical oncology at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide and she leads the Survivorship Research Program at the Flinders University Health and Medical Research Institute. She chairs the Psychosocial Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and leads the Global Partnership on Self-management in Cancer.
Professor Koczwara is the past President of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), the peak cancer professional organisation in Australia and the past president of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA), the national professional organisation of medical oncologists.
Bogda was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in January 2015 for her services to oncology through clinical practice, education and research and through a range of professional organisations.
Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko
Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko is a clinically practising Specialist GP/Primary Care and Cancer Survivorship Physician working in Sydney. In addition to her varied GP work, managing all ages and health conditions, including preventative health and wellness, Elysia is passionate and involved nationally in cancer survivorship.
She is involved in the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Survivorship Executive group, was a co-author of the updated COSA position statement on Exercise in Cancer Care, the COSA and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) Cardio-oncology group as well as the Primary Health Network GPCanShare project and a recent member of the Cancer Council of NSW Health Services Advisory Group.
A/Prof Eng-Siew Koh
Associate Professor Eng-Siew Koh is a Senior Staff Specialist in Radiation Oncology and clinician-researcher at Liverpool Hospital and a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales. Associate Professor Koh has over 20 years of experience in neuro-oncology and haematology with research interests spanning clinical trials, cancer survivorship, models of care and late effects research.
Associate Professor Koh is the current Chair of COGNO, the Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology as well as a Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) representative for the Cardiac Society of ANZ and COSA Cardio-oncology Working Group.
Prof Aaron Sverdlov
Professor Aaron Sverdlov is a cardiologist with a special interest in heart failure and cardio-oncology (cardiovascular complications of cancer therapies) at Hunter New England Health.
He is a tenured Professor, Director of Heart Failure and co-director of Newcastle Centre of Excellence in Cardio-Oncology at the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Hunter New England Health and Calvary Mater Newcastle.
Aaron is a member of the joint Clinical Oncology Society of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Working Group on Cardio-Oncology and co-chair of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance Cardio-Oncology Working Group.
Internationally, he is a member and Australian representative on the European Society of Cardiology Study Group on Cardio-Oncology and Cardio-Oncology Council Biomarker Study Group, International CardioOncology Society Scientific & Research Executive and Global Cardio-Oncology Registry Scientific Committee.
Ms Lee Hunt – Available to interview.
Ms Lee Hunt is a Cancer Consumer and Advocate and was diagnosed with Grade 3 HER2-positive breast cancer in 2005. Following surgery, she undertook an 18-month therapy program (Adriamycin/Cyclophosphamide, Trastuzumab and radiation therapy) but suffered a recurrence 13 years later.
She experienced reduced heart function whilst undertaking Trastuzumab and has experienced long-term cardiac toxicity from the chemotherapy treatment. Lee was a member of Cancer Voices executive group for eight years and the Faculty of Radiation Council (RANZCR) for six years.
She is a member of the COSA Financial Toxicity Working Group and the COSA/CSANZ Cardio Oncology Working Group. Lee is a member of several cancer research teams, with three projects in the clinical trial phase, and has authored and co-authored several publications.
Ms Melissa Bell – Available to interview.
Melissa was diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-positive breast cancer in 2013. During treatment, she developed a low ejection fraction as a side effect of Herceptin. Many years after treatment Melissa was diagnosed with tachycardia, which is believed to be an impact of treatment. Melissa is a passionate advocate for clinical trials and is a member of the BCT Consumer Advisory Panel. Melissa lives in rural Central Otago, New Zealand.
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