Atrial fibrillation – abnormal heart rhythm – is linked to a higher risk of cancer, more specifically colon cancer. Lead researcher Dr. David Conen said, “We found a significant relationship between atrial fibrillation and cancer.” The study did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship, but did show a strong association between atrial fibrillation and cancer risk.
For the study, nearly 35,000 women were followed for 20 years and the researchers found that those who developed atrial fibrillation had a 60 percent higher risk of cancer.
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The researchers suggest the association may be due to a real connection between atrial fibrillation and cancer, as well as the fact that atrial fibrillation and cancer share common risk factors including smoking and obesity.
Although the study was conducted on women, the researchers suggest that the same findings would probably be seen in men as well. Conen explained, “There is no reason to believe the risk isn’t the same in men as in women. If you reduce risk factors, you are also going to reduce cancer risk.”
The researchers found that the increased risk of cancer was highest within the first three months of atrial fibrillation diagnosis, but the risk did persist over the long term as well.
On the other hand, women who developed cancer had the highest risk of atrial fibrillation only within a three-month period following the diagnosis.
Coauthor of an accompanying journal, Dr. Emelia Benjamin, added, “Atrial fibrillation affects about 33 million people worldwide, so it’s a very common condition. I don’t want people to be concerned that if they have atrial fibrillation they are going to get cancer. I don’t want people to worry about that.”
Also, read Bel Marra Health’s article on Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) risk and diabetes mellitus linked in new study.
Sources:
http://cardiology.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2525428
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
