An Interdisciplinary Ecosystem for the Prevention of Cardiotoxicity in Older Patients With Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Prospective and Multicentric Study

Abstract

Over 50% of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer are aged ≥65 years. Due to age-related factors and the presence of comorbidities, these patients are particularly vulnerable to developing cardiac toxicity associated with cancer treatments, which may lead to suboptimal interventions and undertreatment, resulting in poorer health outcomes, quality of life (QoL) deterioration, and increased health care costs. Given the underrepresentation of older patients with breast cancer in clinical trials and the increasing recognition of the impact of psychosocial and behavioral factors on cardiovascular disease onset, broader and interdisciplinary studies are required to develop new and innovative best practices for this clinical population.