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Sami Mansfield: Could the gut microbiome help protect the heart during breast cancer treatment?

Sami (Papacek) Mansfield/LinkedIn

Jun 22, 2025, 09:18

Sami Mansfield: Could the gut microbiome help protect the heart during breast cancer treatment?

Sami Mansfield, Founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Could the gut microbiome help protect the heart during breast cancer treatment?

New research presented at European Cardio-Oncology 2025 suggests that a healthy gut microbiome before chemotherapy may reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity, one of the most concerning long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment.

In a study of 98 women over age 60, researchers found that specific gut bacteria—especially Bacteroides— were associated with cardiac biomarkers (LV-GLS, NTproBNP, Troponin I) linked to greater risk of heart damage. These microbial profiles resembled those seen in heart failure patients.

While a larger 600-person trial through the EU-funded CARDIOCARE project is underway, this research invites big questions:

Could tailored probiotics or lifestyle strategies help reduce chemotherapy side effects?

Are we assessing microbiome health before treatment, especially in older or metabolically vulnerable patients?

How do we translate these insights into everyday prevention strategies?

In Week 11 of the MyLifestyle Shift program, we dive into this exact topic—how a strong, diverse gut microbiome plays a role in whole-body health, including immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and even cardio-protection during cancer treatment.

You don’t need a lab to start improving your gut health:

Eat more fiber—especially from plants (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains)

Add variety—diverse plant foods feed a diverse microbiome

Move daily—physical activity supports a healthier gut environment

Manage stress—chronic stress disrupts gut-brain-heart pathways

Sleep well—consistent sleep supports microbial balance

Limit ultra-processed foods and added sugars, that are harmful on gut microbiome

“This study is one of the first to ask whether the microbiome could play a role in how well patients’ hearts fare during chemotherapy.”

As survivorship grows, we must look beyond just treating the cancer. Protecting long-term health—from heart to gut to function and beyond—is the next frontier. Let’s move from research to real-world action.”