ALL⁺ Health study: Cardiovascular late-effects after treatment for childhood cancer: risk perceptions and health beliefs

Funder: Newcastle Hospitals Charity

Co-Lead Investigators: Dr Morven Brown and Professor Linda Sharp

Researchers: Dr Morven Brown and Dr Liz Pharoah

Status: Ongoing; end-date 31/12/25

Summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the third most common cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors after cancer relapse and second primary cancers. Anthracycline chemotherapy, a common treatment for childhood cancer, has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease: several studies have shown that approximately half of survivors exposed to anthracyclines will develop injury to the heart. Patients who receive radiation involving exposure to the heart, may develop radiation-induced damage to the heart, and it is possible that the radiation will interact with the anthracyclines to result in greater cardiotoxicity.

There is evidence that a heart-healthy lifestyle can be effective in reducing risk of CVD even for survivors at high risk of treatment-related cardiovascular late-effects. To be able to develop evidence-based behaviour change interventions to promote, support and maintain heart-healthy behaviours in cancer survivors at high risk of CVD, it is essential to understand their awareness, knowledge and risk perceptions about late-effects. It is also important to know and how these factors influence their views on, and engagement with, health behaviours. No previous studies have investigated these issues in childhood cancer survivors.

The aim of the project is to understand - among survivors who have received potentially cardiotoxic treatment – risk perceptions and health beliefs surrounding CVD, and how these are associated with their (a) views and engagement with heart healthy behaviours and (b) views, experiences and preferences around receiving information and advice on cardiovascular late-effects and health behaviours.

Qualitative semi-structured interviews are being carried out with 25-30 childhood cancer survivors who are being recruited from the Great North Children’s Hospital.