Cancer survivors may face premature aging

Cancer therapies help patients get rid of cancer cells, but tend to make these patients live longer and can face aging earlier than the average person.

The Mayo Clinic study concluded that cancer survivors age and age faster than those without cancer. These patients are more likely to experience long-term health problems related to aging while still young. These problems may include:
Disorders of glands and hormones. Heart problems. Osteoporosis . Risk of developing new cancer.

Researchers also show that people with a history of cancer have a life expectancy 30% lower than the general population and the risk of new cancer is 3 to 6 times higher.
Research by Dr. Shahrukh Hashmi explains that the cause of accelerated aging in cancer patients is that chemotherapy and radiation therapies besides killing cancer cells, they also kill cancer cells. normal healthy tissue. This reduces the body's ability to heal.

Dr. Shahrukh's research shows that the number of cancer survivors is increasing, so the medical profession needs to start paying more attention to how to make sure these patients stay healthy after they have had cancer. cancer.
There are currently about 30 million cancer survivors worldwide, and researchers predict that from 2025 there will be around 19 million new cancer diagnoses annually. Many cancer survivors will face long-term health problems.
Cancer treatment drugs accelerate the aging of the body. These drugs include steroids, hormone therapy, and targeted cancer therapies.
Research by scientists shows that:
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other cancer treatments cause aging at the cellular genetic level, change DNA structure and cause cells to die earlier than usual. Patients treated with bone marrow transplants are 8 times more likely to become ill than the general population. Long-term steroid therapy is associated with an increased risk of cataracts, osteoporosis, nerve damage, longer wound healing time, and immunosuppression. Cancer drugs have been linked to hearing loss, decreased thyroid levels, high blood pressure, heart failure, muscle weakness, arthritis, infertility, constipation, and liver and kidney diseases. Radiation therapy has been linked to dementia, dementia, arteriosclerosis, and secondary cancers. The hormone drug Tamoxifen treats cataract-related breast cancer. Women undergoing chemotherapy for cancer are more likely to enter menopause earlier than the general population.

Dr. Hashmi and Shapiro said ongoing research is aimed at reducing the effects on cancer cells to eliminate them, thereby helping to reduce the rate of aging in patients.
Besides, after cancer treatment, patients can also slow down the aging process by implementing a healthier lifestyle such as:
Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. No smoking. Do not drink alcohol. If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Hospitals of the national health system, please book an appointment on the website (vinmec.com) for service.

Reference source: webmd.com