The Association between Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

This project will investigate the association between cardiovascular disease and cancer in an Australian population, with the dual objective of identifying risks of cardiovascular disease in people with cancer as well as risks of cancer in people with cardiovascular disease. The risk of cardiovascular disease in people with cancer will be stratified by use of cardiovascular preventive medications to identify potential risk modifying strategies that can be adopted in this population. The uptake of cancer screening, such as mammography and faecal occult blood testing, will be evaluated to determine feasible interventions to address the risk of cancer with people with cardiovascular disease. Socioeconomic barriers towards use of preventive therapies and cancer screening will also be determined to identify further addressable targets for implementation of these strategies. This project could help address the associated risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer, which remain the two leading causes of mortality in the Australian population.