Many breast cancer survivors whose treatment caused them to develop problems with their heart function can safely stop their medication after their heart recovers, and most won't need to continue treatment long term, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich.
The trial involved 90 women who had recovered from heart problems caused by a specific type of breast cancer treatment. Most were in their 40s and 50s and would previously have been advised to stay on heart medication for life because of fears their heart function would decline once the drugs were stopped.
Researchers found that 98% of the group who stopped taking their heart medication had no change in their heart function after one year, with only one woman experiencing a decline in her heart's pumping ability.
Women who came off their medication also reported a slightly better quality of life at 12 months than those who continued, based on their scores on questionnaires designed to measure quality of life in people with heart failure. The study is published in the European Heart Journal.
Lucy Shepherd from Hertfordshire was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 33rd birthday. An echocardiogram during her treatment revealed that her heart function had declined, and she was put on medication to help improve its function before starting another round of treatment.
