Cardio-Oncology at QCG:
Expert Heart Care for Cancer Patients
What is
Cardio-oncology?
Cardio-oncology is a specialised field of cardiology focused on the management of cardiovascular health in patients who have cancer, are receiving cancer treatment, or have survived cancer.
"Very basically, cardio-oncology is the management of cardiovascular health in patients that have cancer or have survived cancer."
Cancer and cardiovascular disease are Australia’s two most common causes of illness and death. Approximately 4 to 5 million Australians live with cardiovascular disease, while more than 1.7 million have cancer or have survived cancer. Importantly, these conditions frequently overlap: research shows that – in the first few years after a cancer diagnosis – almost 50% of patients are diagnosed with a new cardiovascular condition.
Emergency: If you have chest pain that lasts for more than 10 minutes call Triple Zero (000).
Why do cancer patients need cardiac care?
Cancer patients face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease for two key reasons:
Cancer treatments can affect the heart.
Many cancer therapies, both traditional and modern, have the potential to cause cardiac side effects. More than 70 cancer therapies have been associated with some form of cardiotoxicity, and one Australian study found that 55% of Australians receiving cancer treatment are exposed to at least one potentially cardiotoxic agent.
Shared risk factors.
Cancer and heart disease share common risk factors, including smoking and obesity. Cancer can also induce changes in the body, such as higher rates of inflammation and clotting, that further increase cardiovascular risk.
It is important to note that while the risk is clinically significant and warrants careful monitoring, the likelihood of a serious cardiac event for any individual patient remains relatively low.
When is a cardio-oncologist involved?
At QCG, cardio-oncology care is provided at three broad stages of the cancer journey:
Before cancer treatment
A cardiovascular risk assessment can identify patients who may need closer monitoring or preventative measures during treatment.
During cancer treatment
If cardiac side effects or complications arise, a cardio-oncologist works closely with the treating oncology team to manage cardiovascular issues while keeping cancer treatment on track.
"Our main goal is actually to always facilitate cancer treatment safely, not to stop it. We always want to think about more than just the heart. We have to think about the whole patient."
After cancer treatment (survivorship)
As cancer survival rates continue to improve, more patients than ever are living with or beyond their cancer. For many of these survivors, cardiovascular disease becomes their leading long-term health concern. Cardiovascular optimisation in the survivorship phase is an increasingly important part of long-term care.
Why cardio-oncology matters in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of cancer in the world, but also one of the lowest cancer mortality rates. This means Australia has a relatively large and growing population of cancer survivors.
"Because in the modern era of cancer treatment, we are getting so good at treating cancer, it means that more people than ever before are either cured from their cancer or they're living with it long term. So then, for these people, their main health issue ends up becoming cardiovascular disease because they've survived their cancer."
This growing survivor population makes proactive cardiovascular care after cancer treatment more important than ever.
Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting
If the narrowing in the coronary arteries is severe and causing significant symptoms or risk, your cardiologist may recommend coronary angioplasty, which is a minimally invasive procedure where a small balloon is used to open the narrowed artery, and a stent (small mesh tube) is placed to keep it open.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
In some cases, particularly when there is extensive disease in multiple arteries, your cardiologist may recommend referral to a cardiothoracic surgeon for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
"In certain cases such as disease in multiple arteries or in particular arteries, we would recommend treatment with open heart surgery. If that is the case we would have a multidisciplinary discussion with our cardiothoracic colleagues to determine the best treatment option.
Which cancer treatments can affect the heart?
Some of the most well-known cardiotoxic cancer treatments include:
- Anthracyclines (used in blood cancers and breast cancer)
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin) (used in breast cancer)
- Radiation therapy (particularly to the chest area, which can accelerate coronary artery disease or cause cardiomyopathy)
- Immunotherapy (rare but potentially serious cardiac effects, including myocarditis)
- Targeted therapies and myeloma treatments
Monitoring and assessment
Patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatments are typically monitored using regular echocardiography (heart ultrasound) and, in some cases, blood tests. Advanced echocardiographic techniques, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), may be used to detect subtle changes in heart function.
Dr Ruane holds formal sub-specialty training in advanced echocardiography, ensuring that these results are interpreted with the clinical nuance and expertise they require.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
Effective cardio-oncology care requires close communication between cardiologists, oncologists, haematologists and general practitioners. At QCG, Dr Ruane prioritises timely review of cancer patients because management decisions are often time-critical.
"I always prioritise seeing these patients as soon as possible because often the management decisions in cancer patients are quite time critical. It's good for the oncologist and haematologist to have a cardiologist that is aware of that and appreciates that."
Referrals
GPs and specialists can refer patients to QCG’s cardio-oncology service by providing:
- The patient’s cardiovascular history
- Cancer type and diagnosis
- Cancer treatment history (including specific agents used)
Doctors can click here to refer patients or call our team on 07 3016 1111.
Patients who already have a referral can contact our team as follows:
📞 (07) 3016 1111 | 📧 bookings@qcg.com.au
Expert quotes sourced from Dr Lorcan Ruane interview, July 2026.
What do I do if I have angina?
- As soon as you feel angina symptoms, immediately stop and rest.
- If rest alone doesn’t relieve the symptoms, take a dose of your angina medicine. Sit or lie down before using your spray or tablet, because it can make you dizzy. Use the smallest dose you normally take (e.g. a full, half, or even quarter of a tablet).
- Wait 5 minutes. If the angina is not relieved, take another dose of your angina medicine.
- Wait another 5 minutes.
- Talk – if someone is with you tell them how you’re feeling, or call a relative or friend.
- Call Triple Zero (000) if your angina:
- is not completely better within the 10 minutes you have waited;
- is severe;
- gets worse quickly.
Ask for an ambulance. Don’t hang up. Wait for advice from the operator.
