Common Breast Cancer Treatments May Accelerate Aging, Study Finds
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Key TakeawaysBreast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may accelerate biological aging in survivors, according to a new study.The study found increased markers of cellular aging, such as DNA damage and inflammation, in breast cancer survivors regardless of the treatment they received.
Common breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may accelerate aging in patients, according to a new study by researchers at UCLA.The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that markers of cellular aging—including DNA damage and inflammation—significantly increased in all breast cancer survivors, regardless of the type of treatment they received.Previous research has linked chemotherapy to accelerated aging, but this study is the first to show that aging signals were also present in women who had radiation and surgery, according to Judith Carroll, PhD, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA.“We were surprised to find similar changes in those who only underwent radiation or surgery,” Carroll told Verywell.
Related: Types of Breast Cancer and Treatment Responsiveness
Carroll said advances in cancer therapies have greatly improved survival rates but often lead to faster aging, which “can impact physical abilities, independence, and lifespan.”The researchers conducted a two-year study that tracked women before and after breast cancer treatment, analyzing blood cells for biological aging markers. They focused on cellular senescence, a process where cells stop dividing but don’t die. These so-called “zombie cells” can accumulate over time and release harmful substances that damage healthy cells and contribute to aging.The researchers found that, regardless of treatment type, breast cancer survivors showed signs of DNA damage and unusually fast aging in their immune cells.Oncologists are already aware that breast cancer treatment can accelerate aging in women or even speed up the onset of menopause, said Ruth Oratz, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and an advisory board member of Sharsheret, an advocacy group for Jewish women with breast cancer and ovarian cancer.However, physicians can also offer treatment that can mitigate the side effects such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and depression. “I spend a lot of time talking to patients about how we can make them feel better,” Oratz said.Oratz added that if specific treatments are effective, it’s important to stay on the medications while mitigating the side effects. “For example, some drugs cause weight gain, but now we have [injectable] weight loss drugs to help patients lose weight,” she said.Breast cancer survivors often do have to deal with side effects from cancer treatment, such as changes to skin and hair that can seem to be causing early aging, but it’s also their best opportunity to remain alive, Oratz said.Carroll emphasized that treatment effects vary greatly between individuals. Researchers are particularly interested in identifying factors that may offer protection and resilience against biological aging from breast cancer treatment, she added.Even lifestyle factors, such as social support, stress reduction, exercise, and healthy eating, may help during treatment, Carroll said. “These are factors that could be very protective long-term.”
Read Next: Ask the Expert: Why Is Breast Cancer Screening So Important?
What This Means For YouBreast cancer treatments can lead to faster aging, but this should not discourage patients from undergoing necessary care. If you are concerned about aging effects, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage side effects. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, stress management, and good nutrition may help counteract some of these changes.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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