Dr. Adams is an exercise scientist within the Ted Rogers Cardiotoxicity Prevention Program whose research focuses on (1) characterizing the pathogenesis of cancer-related cardiovascular toxicity and cardiovascular disease, and (2) evaluating the impact of exercise therapy to prevent, mitigate, and treat organ-specific and systemic cardiovascular dysfunction in cancer survivors.
Approximately 1 in 2 North Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, improvements in medical care have led to people living longer than ever after receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, many of the treatments that have improved cancer survival also damage and impair the function of the heart, lungs, blood vessels and skeletal muscles (called cardiovascular toxicity) which may lead to the development of cardivascular disease (CVD). Today, cancer-related CVD is a major source of chronic morbidity and a leading cause of mortality in select survivor groups—representing a major burden to survivors, the health care system and society. Despite these consequences, highly effective approaches to cardiotoxicity risk screening, prevention and treatment in cancer survivors have not been established. Our research explores the intersection of cancer-related CVD and exercise therapy across the lifespan. Our work focuses on groups of cancer survivors who are vulnerable to competing mechanisms of cancer treatment- and lifestyle-related cardiovascular injury resulting in accelerated cardiovascular aging, increased CVD risk and related increases in the risk of CVD-related and all-cause mortality.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7669-8754