The Overlap between Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer, the two most common causes of death globally, have several shared risk factors. However, evidence on the extent of their overlap as causes of death is limited. Objective: To examine the overlap between CVD and cancer mortality. Methods: We used Baker Biobank data that were linked to Australian National death index. Of the 6530 participants in the Biobank, there were 1584 deaths. Underlying, associated and multiple causes of death were used in determining the overlap. Hazards of overlap and shared prognostic factors were also considered in the analysis. Proportions, logistic regression and Cox regression models were used in the analysis. Results: Overall, 141 (8.9%) of the deaths had both CVD and Cancer mentioned as causes of death. About 21% of ischaemic heart disease deaths, 13% of heart failure deaths and 13% of stroke deaths had cancer as a co-occurring cause of death. Deaths with cancer as underlying cause of death were 2.8 times more likely to have CVD as an associated cause of death. Among deaths where CVD was mentioned as a cause of death, there was a 93% higher probability of cancer being reported as a co-occurring cause of death. Patients with history of CVD were 5 times more likely to have cancer as cause of death; and 6 times more likely to have both CVD and cancer as causes of death. Conclusion: There is a significant overlap between CVD and cancer mortality. Integrated screening and management of CVD and cancer is recommended.