Breast cancer survivors whose treatment led to heart problems ‘may not need drugs for life’
Most breast cancer survivors whose treatment has led to heart problems may not need medication for life, a trial suggests.
The finding is ‘hugely encouraging’ for thousands of patients whose heart health has been damaged by the life-saving treatment, say experts.
Some therapies can weaken the heart, with medication then needed to protect it.
The new study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, involved 90 women at four hospitals whose hearts had recovered after a specific treatment for breast cancer.
Most were in their 40s and 50s and would have been advised to stay on heart drugs for life because their heart function could decline if they stopped.
But the researchers found 98 per cent of patients in the group who stopped taking medication had no change in heart function after a year, with just one woman developing a problem with her heart’s pumping ability.
Women who came off drugs also reported a better quality of life.
Professor Charlotte Manisty, head of clinical cardiovascular science at University College London, led the trial, published in the Heart Journal.
Most breast cancer survivors whose treatment has led to heart problems may not need medication for life, a trial suggests
She said: ‘Modern breast cancer treatment is a remarkable success story but the damaging effects of these drugs on the heart leaves survivors and doctors with difficult questions about treatment to maintain heart health.
‘Our study provides the first evidence that heart failure therapies can be safely stopped in survivors whose hearts have recovered, with the support of close monitoring.
‘We hope these findings will be encouraging for survivors and their doctors, giving hope for a future free from treatment.’
Lucy Shepherd, from Hertfordshire, said taking part in the trial left her ‘feeling strong, knowing I can take on new challenges’.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer after turning 33 and tests during her care showed her heart function had declined. She was put on medication before starting another round of treatment.
Ms Shepherd, now 39, said: ‘Living beyond my cancer treatment was difficult because no one could tell me whether I should stop or continue taking heart medication.
‘Being part of the trial and having the chance to come off heart medication has definitely improved my life. I’m still taking hormone therapy but I don’t live with the fear I once had. It has helped me to trust my body again.’
The women in the trial will be followed up over the next five years to monitor their heart health.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, of the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘These findings will be hugely encouraging for the thousands of survivors… The study results give hope that many women will be able to safely stop taking medicines once their heart has recovered.’
She added: ‘More research is needed and the women will be followed up for longer, but in the meantime this is good news for this group of breast cancer survivors.’
