Many children who survive cancer face long-term health challenges in adulthood — heart problems among the most serious. A pediatric oncologist is working to improve early detection.
Many children who survive cancer face long-term health challenges in adulthood — heart problems among the most serious. A pediatric oncologist is working to improve early detection.
“After overcoming childhood cancer, young adults should be able to live carefree and healthy lives. Heart health plays an important role in this. I want to contribute to that,” explains Dr. Christina Schindera, Senior Physician in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. Research is close to her heart: “We want to detect heart problems at an early stage. This allows us to treat them in a targeted way and preserve heart health for as long as possible.”
Children who have survived cancer may still experience a range of health problems later in life. “Late effects can affect any organ system,” says the pediatric oncologist. The most common are heart and lung diseases, hormonal disorders, as well as problems with muscles and bones. But psychological challenges, concentration difficulties, and chronic fatigue can also weigh heavily on adulthood.
Her research project investigates how frequently heart problems occur in young cancer survivors, and in which patients. Using echocardiography, her team examines the pumping function of the heart muscle. In a cardiovascular stress test, participants pedal against increasing resistance on a bicycle. “This allows us to study whether heart problems may only appear under stress.”
To better understand these risks, survivors are invited to participate in long-term monitoring of their heart health. “We don’t just evaluate heart function and resilience,” says Dr. Schindera. “We also track blood pressure, waist circumference, nutrition, quality of life, and chronic fatigue.”
Her vision for the future is clear: “We need gentler cancer therapies that cause fewer late effects. And for survivors, we aim to provide better follow-up care and more education—so young people can enter adulthood informed, strong, and independent.
Project number: KFS-6096-02-2024
