Heart disease declines among childhood cancer survivors

The change reflects less toxic treatments but traditional risk factors 'need attention'
Heart monitor

Adult survivors of childhood cancers are now less likely to experience certain cardiac events because changes to treatment protocols have reduced exposure to radiation, a study shows.

Analysis of data on cancer survivors treated in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s show that the incidence of coronary artery disease and heart failure has declined in recent years but no change was seen with arrhythmias, valvular disease or pericardial disease.