Rochester Reporter

A new cardio-oncology clinic has been established at UR Medicine, aiming to provide specialized care for cancer patients and survivors with heart health concerns. The initiative is a collaboration between the Wilmot Cancer Institute and cardiac care experts.

The clinic targets three main groups: individuals at high risk of cardiovascular issues due to cancer treatment, patients who develop heart problems during treatment, and cancer survivors with post-treatment cardiovascular concerns. It serves patients with various cancers, including solid tumors like breast or lung cancer and blood cancers such as lymphoma.

Susan Dent, MD, director of the cardio-oncology clinic, emphasized the importance of optimizing cardiovascular health for safe completion of cancer therapy and preventing long-term heart issues. She noted that preventative strategies are available for those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or a family history of heart disease.

Cardiologist Amit Bansal, MD, and nurse practitioner Dana Shannon collaborate with Dent in this effort. "We are dedicated to providing comprehensive cardiac care to our patients while they are enduring and recovering from cancer treatment," said Bansal. He highlighted the goal of protecting the heart from the effects of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

The team utilizes advanced imaging technology at UR Medical Center to diagnose and manage conditions while preserving heart function. This includes echocardiography, stress testing, cardiac MRI, PET scans, and SPECT-CT.

Statistics indicate that worldwide there are about 50 million cancer survivors; over 18 million reside in the U.S. A study from 2022 revealed that adult cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-cancer individuals.

Dent pointed out that traditional medical approaches often wait until problems arise before addressing them. The new clinic aims to proactively optimize cardiovascular health when concerns exist upfront.

Dent recently joined UR Medicine from Duke Cancer Institute and also directs the Judy DiMarzo Cancer Survivorship Program at Wilmot. Her experience includes co-leading Canada's first cardio-oncology clinic at the University of Ottawa and founding the Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network.

For referrals to UR Medicine’s cardio-oncology clinic, Dent assured collaboration with existing cardiologists to ensure optimal patient care without hindrance. "My motto is—we want patients with cancer to not only survive but thrive," she stated.

In addition to her clinical work, Dent conducts research on breast cancer and cardiovascular health. Her recent publication in the European Heart Journal addresses knowledge gaps in this area.

For more information about the clinic's services, individuals can contact their physician or call 585-275-2877.