Early cancer treatments can speed up aging in survivors, a study has found

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center looked at whether life-saving treatments, e.g Chemotherapy and radiationIt can accelerate biological aging.

They also aimed to determine whether this acceleration in aging was related to cognitive issues related to memory, concentration, and learning.

The team analyzed blood samples from a group of 1,400 long-term survivors treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, using… Epigenetic clocks — Tools that estimate biological age by examining chemical markers on DNA.

Biological age is determined based on the damage that cells accumulate over time, as opposed to chronological age, which is measured by how long a person has been alive, according to scientists.

Biological age is determined based on damaged cells that accumulate over time, according to scientists. (Istock)

“These well-established aging-related biomarkers have previously been associated with neurocognitive impairment and declines in cancer-free older adults, particularly in cognitive domains associated with aging and dementia, such as memory, attention, and executive function,” the study stated.

Most of the group consists of survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. Participants were at least five years past their treatment, although some survived for several decades.

They underwent neurocognitive tests to measure their attention, memory, and information processing speed.

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Chemotherapy has been found to have the greatest effect on accelerating aging. The study indicates that treatment can change DNA structure It causes cell damage.

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“It is not surprising to find that young people with cancer who undergo chemotherapy early in life are affected by long-term aging,” Dr. Mark Siegel, Fox News’ chief medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

Participants underwent neurocognitive tests to measure their attention, memory, and information processing speed. (Istock)

The researchers also found that cell aging is closely linked to cognitive performance, with survivors at a higher biological age having greater difficulty with memory and attention.

“Chemical toxins and destruction of cellular function – we hope so Cancer cells “It’s more than normal cells, but there’s a big effect on normal cells as well,” said Siegel, who was not involved in the study.

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“There is also what is called ‘chemo brain,’ which causes at least temporary difficulty with memory, concentration, finding words, and brain fog,” the doctor added.

The research team hopes to use these findings to focus intervention efforts, specifically by determining when accelerated aging begins.

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“Young cancer survivors have more decades of life to live,” Anna Lynn Williams, the study’s lead author, said in a press release. “If these accelerated changes in aging are occurring earlier and putting her on a different trajectory, the goal is to intervene not only to increase her lifespan, but to improve her health as well.” Quality of life“.

The team hopes that this research will help develop early intervention tools aimed at preventing cognitive decline. (Istock)

There were some limitations to the study. The researchers were unable to adjust for chronic disease Health conditions Or education because they are directly affected by treatment.

In addition, the study only looked at survivors at one point in time, so it could not directly prove causality.

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The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.

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