Breast cancer treatments accelerate aging in survivors

A new study has found that breast cancer treatments may speed up aging in survivors. Published on March 7, 2025, in the journal Aging, the research was led by Cong Wang and Xiao-Ou Shu from Vanderbilt University. The study shows that breast cancer patients experience biological aging at a faster rate than those without cancer. This acceleration can last up to ten years after diagnosis. The results raise concerns about how cancer treatments impact long-term health. Breast cancer is a common cancer among women, and advancements in treatment have improved survival rates. However, researchers discovered that some treatments might also increase aging. They assessed data from 1,264 breast cancer patients and 429 healthy individuals using a measure called Phenotypic Age Acceleration (PAA). The results indicated that breast cancer survivors had higher PAA levels at the time of diagnosis and maintained signs of accelerated aging for a decade. Women with more severe tumors exhibited the greatest aging acceleration. Treatments like chemotherapy and endocrine therapy contributed significantly to this phenomenon, with chemotherapy showing the largest increase in PAA just one year after diagnosis. Interestingly, surgery and radiation therapy were linked to lower levels of aging acceleration. This suggests that systemic treatments, which affect the entire body, may have a stronger impact on aging than localized therapies. These findings emphasize the importance of ongoing health monitoring for breast cancer survivors. Understanding the long-term effects of cancer treatments is essential for improving care after treatment. More research is needed to explore how lifestyle changes and other interventions might help slow aging in survivors. As the number of breast cancer survivors grows, addressing the health impacts of cancer treatment remains vital. This study offers key insights to guide future research and healthcare for these individuals.