Air Pollution Increases Risk for Cardiotoxicity in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy.

This article focuses on the association between air pollution exposure and cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer survivors treated with cardiotoxic therapies. A longitudinal cohort study of 580 women found that higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) were linked to significant decreases in cardiac function measures, including left ventricle ejection fraction and volumes, indicating cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. The study used data from the Cardiotoxicity of Cancer Therapy trial and air pollution estimates based on patients’ census tracts, controlling for factors such as age, race, and cancer treatments. The findings highlight the impact of environmental factors on cardiovascular health in cancer survivors and suggest the need for policies addressing air pollution to improve long-term outcomes.