Childhood brain cancer survivors are more prone to heart disease

Fighting the deadly disease of brain cancer in such a young age is nothing less than an achievement for a child but the problem just does not end their. Researchers have shed light on why survivors of childhood brain tumours may be prone to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and early death.

The McMaster University researchers discovered that though survivors of childhood brain tumours have a body mass index similar to healthy children, they have more fat tissue than them, especially around the abdomen. Senior author Constantine Samaan states that, “These findings suggest that one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, which is excess total and central fat in the body, is present relatively early in survivors of childhood brain tumors. This may program their future risk of these diseases and impact their outcomes.”

He further adds, "This indicates that these children need further monitoring for the factors that increase their risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, and that targeted therapies and prevention strategies are needed to deal with the early risk factors to improve survival and the quality of life of survivors."