A pioneering South African centre is being celebrated internationally for its dual roles of treating cancer while protecting heart health, with the team at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast changing what cancer care can look like when it’s built to protect not only lives, but hearts too.
The Good News Guy reports that Africa’s first and only Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence has again been recognised by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS), with its certification renewed for a further three years.
The centre was established in 2019 by cardiologist and certified cardio-oncologist Dr YT (Trishun) Singh, to meet the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, where cardio-oncologists work alongside oncologists and haematologists to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
“We congratulate Dr YT Singh on this major achievement that underlines the importance of evidence-based, data-driven interventions for protecting the heart health of people during cancer therapies,” said Dr Erich Bock, MD of Netcare’s hospital division.
He also credited Singh with growing skills and strengthening local knowledge in this emerging speciality.
Many people don’t realise that nearly all classes of chemotherapy and radiation to the chest may cause cardiovascular complications, known as cardiotoxicity, which can increase the long-term risk of heart problems.
“Cardiotoxicity does not just involve the heart muscle, but may also include heart rhythm disturbances, arteries and veins, heart valves, pericardium, and conduction system,” said Singh, founder of the Cardio-Oncology Society of Southern Africa, who leads the Centre of Excellence.
Cardiotoxicity risk is often increased when patients already have underlying cardiac disease or comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking history and obesity.
“Anyone due to have potentially cardiotoxic cancer therapy should therefore have a baseline cardio-oncology assessment by an appropriately skilled cardiologist with cardio-oncology training,” he added.
In line with international guidelines, ongoing assessment during cancer therapy and post-therapy surveillance is considered essential.
“The earlier people undergoing cancer treatment are identified as being potentially at risk for cardiotoxicity, the sooner we can begin interventions to help prevent or minimise damage to the heart,” Singh said.
Thea Janse van Rensburg, GM of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital, said the achievement was testament to the expertise, hard work and dedication of the team.
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