UK study on cardiovascular disease and cancer risk

A long-term study conducted by researchers from Keele University and the University of Aberdeen has identified a significant link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased cancer risk, particularly in men.

Following more than 22,000 participants from the EPIC-Norfolk study for approximately 25 years, researchers found that men living with CVD face a higher risk of developing and dying from cancer compared to women with similar conditions. Specifically, the lifetime cancer risk for men with CVD was recorded at 17.3%, while women with CVD faced a 17.3% risk. For comparison, those without CVD had a 10.2% risk for men and 8.2% for women.

The increased risk was most pronounced in lung and oesophageal cancers, though higher rates were also observed in gastric, bowel, and non-melanoma skin cancers. Researchers identified smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption as primary drivers behind these findings. Dr. Tiberiu Pana, a cardiology specialist at NHS Grampian, noted that while the relationship between heart disease and cancer was previously known, this study provided a more thorough examination of gender differences and specific cancer types.