There are nearly 17 million individuals in the U.S. who are cancer survivors – including those who are currently receiving therapy with curative intent, those with chronic cancer such as chronic lymphocytic cancer (CLL) or metastatic disease who will receive cancer therapy for many years, and long-term survivors.
At the time of diagnosis, many cancer survivors have preexisting co-morbidities, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, that increase their risk of both cancer and non-cancer-related morbidity and mortality. This is due in part to aging, and the fact that the development of many cancers have shared risk factors (e.g. ,obesity and sedentary lifestyles) with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many individuals will survive their cancer only to have a preventable cardiac death. Management of cardio-metabolic co-morbidities is essential during and after cancer therapy yet cancer survivors may not be offered appropriate pharmacotherapy or lifestyle modifications. Non-adherence to medication also places cancer survivors at greater risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increased collaboration and communication between the oncology and cardiology care team, primary care providers and allied health care providers is required to adequately manage co-morbid risk factors in cancer survivors. Coordination of care and treatment of co-morbidities should remain a priority of treatment from the time of cancer diagnosis. The ONE TEAM study (NCT04258813) is exploring the role of primary care providers in the management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, as well as adherence to treatment, in patients with breast, colorectal and prostate cancer at time of diagnosis.