Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States, but it is rare that cancer makes its way to the heart.
It’s an observation that clinicians have been grateful for, though largely unable to explain. But in a paper published Thursday in Science, researchers propose one potential explanation: The constant pressure that the organ is under from beating thousands of times a day and pushing gallons of blood creates an environment that is hostile to cancers. The study, which was conducted in mice, is preliminary, but outside experts said it points to potential new approaches for cancer treatments.
