Trends in the Use of Cardiac Imaging for Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

We investigated time trends and factors associated with the use of cardiac imaging among women with early-stage breast cancer prior to the initiation of treatment. Of 11,732 women ages 24–64, diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer in 2006–2011, 2550 (22%) received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Baseline cardiac imaging was used in 79% of patients receiving anthracyclines and increased over time. Of 2277 (20%) women who received non-anthracycline therapy, 16% received cardiac imaging. Women receiving cardiac imaging in non-anthracycline therapy group were more likely to have higher cardiovascular risk, as well as higher cancer stage and worse histological tumor grade suggesting that results of imaging might have influenced the choice of cancer therapy. Our findings indicate the need for cardio-oncology collaboration in identification and treatment of women at high risk for adverse oncology and cardiovascular outcomes.