Cancer Survivors Get Old Faster

An hourglass with sand running.

Cancer survivors often go through many different treatments, including radiationIn cancer biology: A cancer treatment in which high energy beams are used to kill cancer cells. Radiation can also cause genetic damage that can lead to cancer. As an example, skin cancer is believed to be greatly increased by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. and chemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. drugs.  These treatments are often successful in getting rid of cancer, but some negative effects can last a lifetime. The life expectancy for cancer survivors is 30% lower than those who have not had cancer.

A review of many articles shows that cancer treatments can have long-term effects on several biological processes that influence how long people live.  The results may help us to address these long-term effects once the cancer is gone.

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