Progress in cancer treatment has increased the survival rate of breast cancer patients, but a new study on the disadvantages of treatment has revealed shocking facts. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, common treatments used in the treatment of breast cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can increase the biological age of patients.
According to this study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, signs of cellular aging were seen very rapidly in women who survived breast cancer. These include DNA damage, cellular aging and inflammation. These signs increase the risk of problems like fatigue, loss of memory, weakness and heart disease in the body.
Chemotherapy and radiation also increase age
The lead author of the research, Judith Carroll, associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, said that this is the first time it has been shown that the signs of biological aging that were previously thought to be associated with chemotherapy are now also visible in women undergoing radiation and surgery. She said that we expected that aging genes would be more active due to chemotherapy, but we were surprised when we found that similar changes were also happening in women who underwent only radiation or surgery.
Gene changes seen in blood cells
The researchers monitored changes in genes in blood cells using RNA sequencing and analyzed markers indicating aging. This study found that some genes become more active when DNA is damaged, which is a sign of aging. However, the pattern of aging was slightly different from chemotherapy, but changes were also seen in those who took only radiation or surgery.
(PC: Freepik)
