The impact of radiotherapy on the heart has become an area of interest in recent years. Many different cardiac dose-volume constraints have been associated with cardiac toxicity and survival; however, no consistent constraint has been found. Many patients undergoing treatment for lung cancer have risk factors for cardiovascular disease or known cardiac comorbidities; however, there is little evidence on the effects of radiotherapy on the heart in these patients. We aim to provide a summary of the existing literature on cardiac toxicity of lung cancer radiotherapy, propose strategies to avoid and manage cardiac toxicity, and suggest avenues for future research.

Background Increasing demands on health care systems require patients to take on more active roles in their health. Effective self‐management has been linked to improved health outcomes, and evidence shows that effective self‐management is linked to health literacy (HL). HL is an important predictor of successful self‐management in other chronic diseases but has had minimal testing in cancer. Methods A scoping review was conducted to examine and summarize what is known about the association between HL and self‐management behaviors and health service utilization in the cancer setting. The methodological framework articulated by Arksey and O’Malley was used and was further refined with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Inclusion criteria included the following: peer review; publication in English; and adult patients and caregivers of all races, ethnicities, and cultural groups. Use of a validated instrument to measure HL was required. Results The search yielded 2414 articles. After the removal of duplicates and the performance of title scans and abstract reviews, the number was reduced to 44. Of the 44 full‐text articles reviewed, 17 met the inclusion criteria. A number of important self‐management behaviors and related outcomes were found to be associated with HL. These included the uptake of cancer screening, the receipt of prescribed chemotherapy, and a greater risk of postoperative complications. Conclusions This literature review shows that HL is associated with important self‐management behaviors in cancer. The implications of these associations for individuals with inadequate HL and for the health care system are significant. More research is needed to explore these associations.

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