Long-Term Metabolic Health Management in Cancer Survivors: An Integrated Strategy Considering Recurrence Risk and Cardiovascular Disease

With cancer survival rates reaching 72.1% in South Korea, managing the long-term health of over 2.4 million survivors has become a clinical priority. Beyond oncological follow-up, survivors face a “triple burden” of treatment-induced metabolic complications, increased risk of cancer recurrence, and elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Various therapies—including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors—disrupt metabolic homeostasis, significantly raising the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Research indicates that cancer survivors have a 55% higher risk of CVD mortality compared to the general population, and comorbid diabetes increases overall mortality by 41%. Despite these significant risks, a “management gap” persists due to the fragmented transition between hospital-centered oncology and primary care. To optimize long-term outcomes, it is essential to implement a multidisciplinary shared-care model that integrates metabolic monitoring into standard survivorship programs. Evidence-based strategies, such as structured aerobic and resistance exercise regimens (150+ minutes/week) and pharmacological interventions with statins or metformin, are proven to reduce mortality and recurrence risks. Furthermore, policy-level support—including mandatory baseline metabolic screening and digital health monitoring platforms—is required to bridge systemic gaps. Proactive metabolic management must be recognized not as an elective follow-up, but as a core pillar of comprehensive cancer survivorship care, essential for improving both long-term survival and quality of life.