A study published today in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes reveals that people with advanced cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 1.4 million adults in Japan, found that those in the later stages of CKM syndrome had a 25-30% increased risk of cancer compared to healthy individuals.
CKM syndrome encompasses a range of interconnected conditions, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, obesity, and diabetes. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. adults have at least one component of CKM syndrome, such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose, excess weight, or reduced kidney function. The syndrome is staged from 0 (no risk factors) to 4 (established cardiovascular disease).
Researchers at the University of Tokyo used national insurance claims data to classify participants by CKM stage and tracked new cancer diagnoses over an average of 3.5 years. Compared to stage 0, cancer risk increased by 3% at stage 1, 2% at stage 2, 25% at stage 3, and 30% at stage 4. The sharp rise in risk at stages 3 and 4 underscores the cumulative effect of metabolic and organ dysfunction.
“The study findings suggest that it is important to consider not only cardiovascular disease risk, but also cancer risk in people with CKM syndrome,” said lead author Hidehiro Kaneko, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Tokyo. He noted that dysfunction in the cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic systems independently contributes to cancer risk through shared pathways, and the accumulation of risk factors within CKM syndrome may drive cancer development.
Tochukwu Okwuosa, D.O., director of cardio-oncology services at Rush University Medical Center and an American Heart Association volunteer, emphasized the bidirectional relationship. “We already know that cancer and its therapies can lead to cardiotoxicities and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights the concept of reverse cardio-oncology where cardiovascular disease and its risk factors also increase cancer risk,” she said. Okwuosa added that the CKM staging framework could help flag high-risk individuals for cancer screenings.
The study's limitations include its reliance on a Japanese population, which may not be fully generalizable. However, the authors note that other studies consistently link metabolic and kidney dysfunction to increased cancer risk, supporting broader applicability. The findings reinforce the importance of holistic health management, as lifestyle choices that improve cardiovascular and metabolic health may also reduce cancer risk.
For business and technology leaders, this research underscores the growing value of integrated health platforms that address multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. Companies in the health analytics and wearable technology sectors could leverage CKM staging to develop tools that predict not just heart disease risk but also cancer risk, offering a more comprehensive view of patient health. The study also highlights the potential for AI-driven risk assessment models that incorporate CKM syndrome components to improve early detection and preventive care strategies.
