Do Cancer and Cancer Treatments Accelerate Aging?

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review focuses on describing the mechanisms and clinical manifestations that underlie accelerated aging associated with cancer and its treatment. Recent Findings: The direct and indirect effects of cancer and its treatment are associated with late occurrence of comorbidities that happen earlier or more frequently in cancer survivors compared to cancer-free individuals, otherwise known as accelerated aging. Use of senolytics and dietary and exercise interventions including prehabilitation, caloric restriction, and rehabilitation are currently under investigation to reverse or decelerate the aging process and will be covered in this review. Summary: Further research on how to decelerate or reverse aging changes associated with cancer and its treatment will be of paramount importance as the number of cancer survivors continues to grow.