The relationship between colorectal cancer and atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Objective of the review. To evaluate the associations between colorectal cancer and atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases, and to identify common risk factors. Materials and methods. Data for this analysis were collected from peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2024, sourced from platforms such as PubMed, eLIBRARY, CyberLeninka, and other academic resources. This time frame includes key clinical studies pertinent to the subject matter. The search terms included colorectal cancer (CRC), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), complications, risk factors, and prevention. Articles that did not meet the predetermined selection criteria were excluded from the analysis. Results. Patients with CRC exhibit a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to the general adult population, with this risk increasing with age and overall life expectancy. Notable gender differences in the association between CVD and CRC were observed. Furthermore, individuals at high cardiovascular risk showed an increased probability of developing CRC. There is a high prevalence of traditional atherosclerosis risk factors among patients with malignancies, particularly those with CRC. Conclusion. Assessing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and implementing clinical cardiovascular follow-up following a cancer diagnosis may help mitigate disease burden and extend survival. Addressing common risk factors and encouraging lifestyle modifications can improve patient outcomes.