Cancer diagnosis linked to increased ischemic stroke risk

A large-scale study conducted in Israel has identified a significant link between cancer diagnoses and an increased risk of experiencing an initial ischemic stroke. By analyzing data from over 180,000 adults aged 40 and older between 2014 and 2021, researchers utilized national cancer and stroke registries to track these occurrences.

The findings indicate that the risk of stroke is particularly elevated during the first few months following a cancer diagnosis and varies depending on the specific type of cancer. Ischemic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, are estimated to affect approximately 10 percent of individuals living with cancer.