Common breast cancer treatments could accelerate aging, study suggests.
Tl;dr
- Breast cancer treatment can accelerate aging.
- All types of treatment combined, signs of aging are observed.
- Lifestyle factors can help combat this biological aging.
The effects of breast cancer treatment on aging
Common treatments for breast cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, could accelerate aging in patients. This is according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Markers of cellular aging on the rise
According to the study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institutemarkers of cellular aging, such as DNA damage and inflammation, were significantly increased in all breast cancer survivors, regardless of the type of treatment received.
“Zombie cells” causing accelerated aging
Researchers conducted a two-year study that followed women before and after breast cancer treatment, analyzing blood cells for biological markers of aging. They focused on cellular senescence, a process where cells stop dividing, but do not die. These “zombie cells” can build up over time and release harmful substances that damage healthy cells and contribute to aging.
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Ways to fight biological aging
However, there are ways to combat this biological aging. Judith Carroll, PhD, study co-author and associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, points out that lifestyle factors, such as social support, stress reduction, exercise and a healthy diet, can help during treatment. “These are factors that could be very protective in the long term,” she added.
In short, if breast cancer treatments can have undesirable side effects, notably an acceleration of aging, there are ways to reduce them and preserve the quality of life of patients.
