Breast cancer is a prevalent disease that affects thousands of women worldwide. In Europe alone, it accounts for 13.3% of all new cancer cases, and the numbers are expected to rise. While medical advancements in treating breast cancer are continually being made, there is still a need to focus on improving the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment.
In a groundbreaking development, a new clinical trial called CARDIOCARE aims to enhance the overall well-being of breast cancer patients through behavioral and psychological interventions. Led by a coalition of European partners, including the esteemed European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the trial will enroll 750 patients across six clinical centers in Europe.
One of the primary goals of CARDIOCARE is to investigate the potential of behavioral and psychological therapies in reducing heart damage caused by anti-cancer drugs. This cardiovascular disease is a devastating complication that affects both the physical and mental health of breast cancer patients. By addressing these aspects, the trial seeks to empower women over the age of 65 with breast cancer, providing them with tools to improve their physical health and psychologically adapt to their disease.
The five-year EU-funded study brings together experts from multiple disciplines, including cardiologists, oncologists, psychologists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, and biomedical engineers from seven European countries. By collaborating closely, they aim to revolutionize the treatment of older women with breast cancer, focusing on patient monitoring, treatment, and care.
Participants in the clinical trial will receive the CARDIOCARE mobile application (app), which will play a central role in the intervention. As part of the trial, patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving the app with both ePsycHeart and eHealtHeart features, and the other receiving the app with ePsycHeart only.
The app will utilize a wearable chest band heart rate sensor, a smartwatch, and questionnaires to monitor the quality of life, mobility, and mental health of the patients. Additionally, eHealtHeart will encourage participants to adopt behaviors such as physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in memory-improving games, and making changes in their home environment to reduce the risk of falls.
Another crucial aspect of the trial is the early identification of patients at the highest risk of heart and blood vessel damage from anti-cancer treatments. Advanced technologies like next-generation sequencing will be employed to identify changes in gut microbe species that indicate heart and blood vessel damage before symptoms occur. Additionally, artificial intelligence will analyze heart images to predict the likelihood of such damage.
Professor Dimitrios I Fotiadis, the project coordinator from the University of Ioannina in Greece, expressed confidence in the potential of CARDIOCARE to improve the physical and mental well-being of older women with breast cancer. The early detection of cardiovascular side effects and the provision of digital tools to enhance mental and physical health are expected to make a significant difference in the lives of patients.
With its comprehensive approach and focus on cutting-edge technologies, the CARDIOCARE trial holds immense promise for improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of the disease, it aims to provide patients with better support and care throughout their journey. The results of this trial will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the treatment of breast cancer in the future.
