INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan Health has earned a center of excellence designation in a developing area of heart and cancer care. The International Cardio-Oncology Society has named Franciscan Health as a Gold Center of Excellence for its cardio-oncology program.
Nineteen programs across the globe have earned its center of excellence status. Of those, 15, including Franciscan Health, have received the gold status, its top recognition.
Since 2016, cardiologists and oncologists at Franciscan Health have worked together to monitor and treat cancer patients whose therapies, including chemotherapy, medications and radiation, may inadvertently impact their heart function.
Breast cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to heart damage if they receive one of two standard chemotherapy drugs, Doxorubicin and Herceptin, as they have been shown to often affect heart function. Radiation, especially in women being treated for left-sided breast cancer, can also have a toxic effect on the heart.
More than 1,000 patients have been monitored and treated through the Franciscan Health cardio-oncology program.
For more information, visit FranciscanHealth.org
