Late and long-lasting effects of cancer treatment

Patricia Ganz, MD, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, discusses the late and long-lasting effects of cancer treatment. Patients can experience prolonged mental and behavioural issues, such as anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia, as well as physical issues and limitations, caused by treatments such as radiation and surgery. Common side effects of cancer treatments such as weight gain can lead to an increased risk of conditions like cardiac disease and diabetes. A key consideration is the risk of recurrence, with roughly 15-20% of newly diagnosed cancers in the USA being in patients who have previously had cancer. This interview took place at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2021 in San Antonio.