In both adjusted and unadjusted analysis, elevated NT‐proBNP was significantly associated with cancer‐specific mortality as compared to normal NT‐proBNP in the whole cohort (HR = 3.83; 95%CI: 2.91, 5.04; p < 0.001 and HR = 1.50; 95%CI = 1.11, 2.03; p = 0.009, respectively). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is cancer.