New research shows large numbers of older women diagnosed with breast cancer died from something other than the cancer, with heart and circulatory disease being the leading cause of death.

Researchers from the University of Colorado looked at medical data from over 60,000 women aged 66 or over diagnosed with breast cancer and found more than two thirds of the women who died did so from other causes, most commonly heart disease.

In fact, they found heart and circulatory disease killed more women with breast cancer than the cancer itself, concluding that reducing heart disease risk is an important part of the management and care for older women with breast cancer.

Natasha Stewart, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said:

"Heart disease is the single most common cause of death for women in the UK. We can't afford to ignore the fact that it kills nearly 40,000 women each year - three times more than breast cancer.

"We also know that as women get older they're much more susceptible to developing heart disease. So it's vitally important that they don't forget about their heart attack risk even if they've been diagnosed with something as serious as breast cancer.

"Both men and women can cut their risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, doing regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet."

The study was published in Breast Cancer Research.

Notes

Statement issued in response to Cardiovascular disease competes with breast cancer as the leading cause of death for older females diagnosed with breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study', Jennifer L Patnaik et al. Breast Cancer Research, June 2011.

Source:
British Heart Foundation