Principles of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients with cancer. Expert Opinion of the Working Group on Prevention and Epidemiology (Cardio-oncology Task Force) and the Working Group on Cardio-oncology of the Polish Cardiac Society.

Despite spectacular progress in the treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in cancer patients, after cancer itself. According to the CONNECT-POL registry, cardiovascular risk factors are very often detected in cancer patients even before starting oncological treatment. The rapidly expanding range of new life-saving cancer therapies is unfortunately characterized by a wide range of both early and late cardiovascular complications. These include not only the classic complications long described as heart failure, but also hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Preventive strategies aimed at their prevention and optimal treatment are crucial for improving both oncological and cardiological prognosis. Unfortunately, as is widely known, the presence of cancer negatively impacts the quality and intensity of preventive measures. In our expert opinion, after a cancer diagnosis, in addition to promptly initiating oncological therapy, prevention or addressing existing cardiovascular risk factors is also of great importance for the patient's further treatment and prognosis. This should generally be done in accordance with the principles adopted for the general population, but with certain differences for cancer patients, especially if this is a group of patients with advanced cancer. It is crucial that these activities are not conducted solely by cardiologists, but also with the support of primary care physicians and other specialties, including oncologists, with the full cooperation and acceptance of the patient. According to the authors of this document, there is a need to emphasize the role of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients, which has been neglected until now, and our expert opinion summarizes these recommendations.