Journal of Geriatric Oncology · Sep 12, 2020
The acceleration of ageing in older patients with cancer
By Muhandiramge J, Orchard S, Haydon A et al.
Older cancer survivors may experience ageing at an accelerated rate when compared to their similar-aged, cancer-free counterparts. Ageing is undoubtedly a significant risk factor for cancer. There is evidence to suggest, however, that this relationship may in fact be bidirectional, with cancer and its treatments contributing to the ageing process. In this review, we outline the current literature linking cancer and anti-cancer therapy to adverse ageing outcomes and explore what additional research is needed in order to conclusively define cancer and its treatment as an accelerator of ageing.