Research Reveals Cancer Patients Face High Risk of Stroke Within First Three Months

A cancer diagnosis presents not only emotional and physical challenges for patients but also brings the threat of serious vascular complications. A recent epidemiological study involving more than 180,000 patients confirms that the risk of ischaemic stroke (the blockage of blood vessels in the brain) surges up to 2.5 times during the first three months after a person is diagnosed with cancer.

The findings, published in the medical journal Cancer, highlight the necessity for strict vascular and cardiovascular health monitoring during the early stages of cancer treatment.

Neurologists and public health researchers have identified several key factors linking cancer to an increased risk of stroke. Experts are urging medical teams and patients’ families to recognise the early symptoms of stroke (using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym) to ensure rapid emergency intervention and minimise the risk of permanent brain tissue damage.

Dr Mirna Primasari, a Radiation Oncology Specialist at MRCCC Siloam Semanggi, emphasised the importance of surveillance time and a healthy lifestyle for cancer survivors who have entered remission. She noted that sudden asymmetrical facial drooping can be an early symptom of stroke that is often ignored.

Furthermore, neurology specialists at RSUI have warned about frequently overlooked stroke symptoms, such as sudden vertigo and blurred vision. Medically, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, depriving the brain of essential nutrients and oxygen, which causes brain cells to be damaged or destroyed within a short period.

Currently, stroke remains the leading cause of death and disability in Indonesia, even recording the highest rates in Southeast Asia. To combat this, the ‘Code Stroke’ system has been designed to ensure immediate handling of patients suspected of experiencing a stroke.