The Global Cancer Consortium (GCC) in collaboration with The International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) are pleased to extend an invitation to you to enroll in our training program in Cardio-Oncology. The first phase of this program aims to provide pre-recorded lectures, each delivered by accomplished professionals in the field. These lectures may be paired with local mentors who will offer hands on clinical application of the principles expounded in the recordings. In this way you will participate in a curriculum that has direct impact on patient care. There are two training tracks:
Cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are interlinked through common risk factors, co-occurrence in an aging population, and the deleterious effects of cancer treatment on cardiovascular (CV) health. The relationship between cancer and CVD is bidirectional. Well-known risk factors for CVD, such as tobacco, obesity, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, diabetes, alcohol, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, are also risk factors for many cancers.
Cancer treatment has been associated with a wide spectrum of short- and long-term cardiotoxic effects, with cardiomyopathy resulting from anthracyclines as a classic example. An explosion of novel cancer therapies has revolutionized the field and dramatically altered cancer prognosis. However, these therapies have introduced unexpected CV complications beyond cardiomyopathy. Ironically, increases in CV morbidity and mortality now threaten to offset the advances in cancer-related survival. Moreover, the epidemiological impact of cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity is growing, and the number of cancer survivors and aging patients with various CV comorbidities at risk for cancer is increasing.
Oncologists are thus increasingly collaborating with CV specialists to risk-stratify and to address myriad comorbidities and the adverse effects of novel cancer therapeutics, the mechanisms of which are often poorly understood. CV specialists need to have a thorough understanding of the complex pathophysiology that links cancer and CVD and the mechanisms of novel chemotherapeutic agents. Familiarity with the modalities to risk-stratify and detect early CV effects of cancer treatment is among the skills required for optimal care of the cancer patient. With growing recognition of the importance and complexity of the relationship among cancer, its treatment, and CVD, CV professionals need exposure to the field of cancer therapeutics and its effect on CV health.
Cardio-oncology (or onco-cardiology) has emerged as a field of expertise that aims to usher patients safely through cancer therapy and into survivorship while tempering CVD and minimizing risks of cancer therapy, as competing causes of morbidity and mortality. It has become increasingly clear that the involvement of a cardio-oncologist enables the cancer treatment team to provide the most effective cancer therapies while minimizing CV toxicity and improving the health of long-term survivors of cancer. With growing clinical demand, there will be an increasing number of cardio-oncology training programs, located mainly at tertiary/quaternary referral centers.
There are two mandatory components and one optional component in this training program.
1. Mandatory Didactic Component. The Global Cancer Consortium (GCC) in collaboration with The International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) will host the educational content on the GCC website. A similar curriculum is followed at many recognized US centers. The content is endorsed by IC-OS and will be updated from time to time.
The content will be available online so that the enrolled trainees may review it at their own convenience. The website will track their activity. After completing the didactic component, the trainee will take the Competency Assessment Exams (100 questions, 75% passing score).
2. Mandatory Clinical Component. Clinical exposure is available at the institute of the trainee if appropriate arrangements can be made. An opportunity to gain national (in the trainee’s home country) and international exposure (mainly in USA) may also be available, but cannot be guaranteed. This will depend on the availability of the position, availability of funding and ability to obtain the visa. The time of clinical exposure for oncologists and cardiologists/ physicians is 6 months. Clinical exposure in cardio-oncology could occur simultaneously with the didactic component or after successful completion of the competency exams depending upon the requirements set by the participating institute.
For those enrolled in the Train-the-Trainer track, clinical exposure is not required. However, clinical competency needs to be demonstrated. This will be assessed based on sample cases involving multistep clinical case scenarios. The candidate will be provided a minimum of 10 multistep cases and based on performance (require >80% correct response), the need for clinical exposure can be waived. Thus, the train-the-trainer pathway candidates will not be required to complete the clinical exposure based upon successful demonstration of a minimum of 2-years of clinical experience in cardio-oncology at a high-volume center and passing the multistep clinical case scenarios.
3. After successful completion of each mandatory component mentioned above, trainees will be eligible to take the IC-OS Certification Exams.
4. Optional Research Component. Interested candidates may be provided mentorship and involved in research projects.
