New research shows that cancer survivors, especially older people, age rapidly. As patients age, such patients are more likely to experience accelerated functional decline than those who have no history of cancer. The study authors examined this phenomenon byCourse of the aging processesin older adults with a history of cancer diagnosis compared to those without cancer.
What causes cancer to cause patients to age quickly
The researchers examined 1,728 men and women between the ages of 22 and 100 between 2006 and 2019. 359 of these adults reported having a history of cancer. Across all participants, a medical history was associated with a 1.42 percent higher likelihood of weak grip strength. Among subjects older than 65, those with a diagnosis of cancer were 1.61 percent more likely to have slow gait speed than those without such prior illnesses. However, these cancer patients also had lower physical performance scores. Additionally, older individuals with a history of cancer experienced greater declines in grip strength and gait speed compared to those without a history of cancer. Researchers examined longitudinal associations between self-reported cancer history and measures of functional decline using generalized estimating equations.
The results of this study add to the evidence that cancer and its treatment can have adverse effects on age-related processes. This could expose cancer survivors to accelerated functional decline. This was announced by lead author Lisa Gallicchio from the American Institute for Cancer Research. It is important to know which cancer patients age rapidly after surviving the disease and are at highest risk. This could indicate when the accelerated decline in physical performance is most likely to begin.These study resultshelp develop interventions to prevent or reverse the adverse age-related effects of cancer and its treatment. In addition, future research could contribute to potential therapeutic approaches that can alter the aging process in cancer survivors.
