Cardio-Oncology Find a Location Find a Doctor Heart & Vascular Advanced Heart Failure Management Center Arrhythmia Center Diagnostic Testing Treatments/Procedures Cardiology Heart Attack Care Minimally Invasive Procedures Cardio-Oncology Cardiac Rehab Clinical Research Diagnostic Services Heart Surgery Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute Building Patient Success Stories Prevention & Wellness AHA Training Center CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit Hands-only CPR Healing Hearts Women's Support Group Health Disparities and Cardiovascular Disease Heart Healthy Lifestyle Tips My Heart Rocks Take Time For Your Heart Women and Heart Disease Tobacco Cessation Freedom from Smoking Nicotine Medication Nicotine Replacement Tobacco Cessation Therapy Success Stories Tobacco Cessation Resources Youth E-cigarette and Vaping Epidemic Structural Heart & Valve Center Aortic Valve Replacement Mitral Valve Surgery Your Hospital Stay Care After Heart Surgery Intensive Care for Heart Conditions Nurses with Heart Care Expertise Partners in Heart Care Transitional Care Units What is Cardio-Oncology? If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, your heart may be the last thing you are thinking about. However, for many patients, cancer treatment can increase their risk of heart disease, or make existing heart problems worse. A cardio-oncologist specializes in caring for the hearts of cancer patients – helping patients manage current heart issues during and after treatment and reducing the risk of future problems. Caring for cancer patients at risk of heart disease While more people than ever are beating cancer, heart disease is the second leading cause of death among cancer survivors. That’s why St. Elizabeth has established a cardio-oncology clinic, focusing on the treatment of heart problems that can develop or increase during cancer treatment. Our cardio-oncologist works closely with oncologists at the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center to identify cancer patients at higher risk of heart disease and to personalize their care plans accordingly. If you are a cancer patient and have concerns about how your treatment may impact your heart health, talk with your oncologist about a consult with a cardio-oncologist. Schedule an Appointment: (859) 905-3073 Dr. Darek Sanford, Cardio-Oncologist Darek Sanford is a cardiologist with additional training in the emerging field of cardio-oncology, providing specialized heart care for cancer patients before, during and after treatment.