Who are we?

A Virtual Networking and Research Collaboration Initiative in Cardiac Oncology

Multidisciplinary collaboration is invaluable in the treatment and management of cancer patients. The Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network was established to facilitate collaboration among health care professionals and researchers interested in the emerging field of cardiac oncology.

Scientist wearing protective glasses, mask, and gloves working with a petri dish in a laboratory.

Vision

To optimize cardiac care for cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic therapies.

Mission

Gain a better understanding of cardiac complications related to cancer treatments
Develop early detection and intervention strategies to optimize cardiac health
Optimize patient outcomes by collaborating with allied healthcare professionals

Doctor in white coat and stethoscope holding hands of a patient wearing a blue blouse.

Two scientists wearing blue gloves and lab coats working together with a microscope and taking notes on a clipboard.

Background

Cancer, the Heart, and CCON

Cancer and the heart are becoming common terminology in both oncology and cardiology practices. With the evolution of systemic and targeted therapies in cancer treatment, it has become increasingly evident that damage to the heart may occur as a result of cancer therapy. Although cardiac toxicities associated with conventional chemotherapy are well known, the short- and long-term effects of targeted agents on the heart are less well understood. The Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network was established in 2011 to bring together health care professionals interested in understanding how cancer therapies impact cardiac health. To date, we have hosted three Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network conferences in Ottawa, Ontario, with a growing interest from a number of health care providers including: oncologists, cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists and basic scientists. The Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network has made great strides since its inception and has gained recognition from several academic institutions across North America.

Mandates

Clinical Services

The goal of the clinical component of the program is the rapid assessment of cancer patients who are at risk of or have experienced cardiac toxicities from their cancer therapy.

Research

The goal of the research component of the program is to develop a national cardiac oncology patient registry in order to facilitate the development of evidence based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac toxicity in cancer patients.

Education

The goal of the educational component of the program is to educate patients, practitioners, and health care professionals at various stages of training. Education activities will focus on producing electronic learning resources and the delivery of quarterly webinars , to foster education of health care professionals and trainees across the nation.

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