As cancer survival rates continue to climb, Atlantic Health System is taking a proactive step to protect the long-term health of patients in Central Jersey. The system recently announced the formal expansion of its Cardio-Oncology program to the Statesir Cancer Center at Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center.
The program addresses a growing medical concern: while modern cancer treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation are increasingly effective, they can often carry significant risks to the cardiovascular system.
Research indicates that adult cancer survivors face a 42% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who have never had cancer. In some cases, heart complications can be toxic enough to interrupt life-saving cancer treatments or may not even appear until years after a patient is declared “cancer-free.”
“Cardio-Oncology is an essential part of delivering comprehensive cancer care,” Dr. Alexander Itskovich, medical director of the Statesir Cancer Center at Atlantic Health CentraState said. “It’s critical that we stay vigilant about protecting patients’ heart health by treating and preventing cardiovascular complications that may be caused by therapies.”
The formalized program at the Freehold campus is a multidisciplinary collaboration between oncology, cardiology, and primary care teams. The service focuses on four key pillars:
- Early Identification: Screening for pre-existing heart conditions before treatment begins.
- Active Monitoring: Using state-of-the-art imaging to review heart function during the course of cancer therapy.
- Integrated Treatment: Administering heart medications when necessary to counteract treatment-related toxicity.
- Long-term Survivorship: Optimizing heart health for survivors to ensure a high quality of life post-cancer.
The expansion is particularly vital for high-risk groups, including patients over the age of 65, individuals with pre-existing high blood pressure or prior heart attacks, and survivors of childhood cancers.
Dr. Jatinchandra Patel, medical director of the Robertshaw Cardiovascular Interventional Center at Atlantic Health CentraState, emphasized that cardiovascular impact can be a “silent” threat. “Many treatments can weaken the heart muscle or cause blood clots,” Patel noted. “Consistent monitoring is needed to help ensure the best quality of life for cancer survivors.”
With this expansion, Atlantic Health CentraState joins a select group of regional facilities offering this specialized care, ensuring that Monmouth County residents have access to advanced heart protection while undergoing complex cancer treatments.
