UK study finds men with heart disease face higher cancer risk, driven by smoking, obesity and alcohol

A 25-year UK study tracking over 22,000 people reveals that men with heart disease face significantly elevated cancer risk, particularly for lung and esophageal cancers. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Keele University, analyzing data from the EPIC-Norfolk study, found the correlation especially strong in men compared to women with heart disease. The study attributes the link primarily to shared lifestyle factors—smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption—rather than heart disease directly causing cancer. Researchers are now investigating whether heart disease screenings could help identify cancer threats earlier and whether men with heart problems should receive closer cancer monitoring.

Heart disease cancer correlation

• ▪The UK study found that men and women with heart disease had higher chances of developing and dying from cancer than those without heart disease.
• ▪A UK study tracked over 22,000 people for 25 years and found that people with heart disease were more likely to develop cancer and die from it.
• ▪The UK study does not conclude that heart disease directly causes cancer.

Male cancer risk elevation

• ▪Men with heart disease showed especially elevated risk for lung and esophageal cancers according to the UK study.
• ▪The UK study found that the correlation between heart disease and cancer risk was especially strong in men.
• ▪Men with heart disease appeared especially vulnerable to cancer compared to women with heart disease in the UK study.
• ▪The UK study researchers are examining whether men with heart problems should receive closer monitoring for cancer risks.

Smoking obesity alcohol risks

• ▪The UK study researchers attribute part of the heart disease-cancer link to lifestyle factors including smoking, carrying extra weight, and drinking too much alcohol.
• ▪The UK study researchers believe risky habits that hurt the heart could also drive cancer risk.

EPIC-Norfolk longitudinal study

• ▪The UK study researchers used data from the EPIC-Norfolk study, which examined the long-term health of thousands of people over more than two decades.
• ▪Researchers at the University of Aberdeen and Keele University conducted the UK heart disease and cancer study.

Heart-healthy lifestyle habits

• ▪The American Heart Association recommends adding a couple of sessions of muscle-strengthening activities each week.
• ▪Heart-healthy eating focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins like fish or poultry.
• ▪The American Heart Association recommends adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week or 75 minutes of more intense exercise.

Blood pressure monitoring importance

• ▪High blood pressure often has no symptoms but quietly damages blood vessels.
• ▪The UK study researchers are investigating whether heart screenings could help catch cancer threats earlier.
• ▪High blood pressure increases risk for heart problems and potentially for cancer according to the UK research.

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