Young Cancer Survivors Age Faster
- Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors age faster than their peers who did not have cancer, according to research published in january 2024.
- The study details accelerated aging occurring at both the cellular level and in cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and facts processing speed.
- For example,the study,led by researchers at the University of Michigan,found that survivors showed signs of telomere shortening,a hallmark of cellular aging.
Cancer Survivors Experience Accelerated Aging
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Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors age faster than their peers who did not have cancer, according to research published in january 2024.
Cellular and Cognitive impacts
The study details accelerated aging occurring at both the cellular level and in cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and facts processing speed. Researchers found that cancer survivors exhibited biological markers typically associated with older adults.
For example,the study,led by researchers at the University of Michigan,found that survivors showed signs of telomere shortening,a hallmark of cellular aging. This was observed in participants who had completed cancer treatment between 5 and 20 years prior to the study.
Study Details and Findings
The research, published in Nature Communications on January 15, 2024, involved 671 adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and 671 matched controls. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments, including blood tests to measure biological age and neurocognitive testing. The study revealed that cancer survivors, on average, exhibited a biological age 2.5 years older than their peers without a cancer history.
According to the study, “Cancer survivors showed poorer performance on measures of processing speed, executive function, and memory compared to controls.”
Implications for Long-Term Care
These findings highlight the need for increased monitoring and support for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors to address potential long-term health consequences related to accelerated aging.Researchers suggest that interventions focused on mitigating these effects, such as lifestyle modifications and cognitive rehabilitation, might potentially be beneficial.
The University of MichiganS press release on January 16, 2024, stated that the research underscores the importance of proactive healthcare for cancer survivors, focusing on early detection and management of age-related health issues. https://news.umich.edu/cancer-survivors-age-faster-than-peers/
Original Research Publication
The full study, titled “Accelerated biological aging and cognitive deficits in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors” is available in Nature Communications: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65664-5