Biological aging in breast cancer survivors linked to treatment type, new study finds

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Researchers at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute explored how breast cancer survivors age biologically compared with women without a cancer history. The study linked this faster aging pattern to a specific treatment approach used in breast cancer care. The work appeared in Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The investigation followed 190 women who donated blood twice, with five to ten years separating the samples. During that interval, each participant had been diagnosed with breast cancer and completed treatment. Their data were then compared with that of age-matched peers who had not been diagnosed with cancer.

Researchers assessed biological aging through three biomarkers derived from DNA methylation patterns: PhenoAgeAccel, GrimAgeAccel, and DunedinPACE. These biomarkers track how quickly the body biologically ages by analyzing methyl groups attached to DNA molecules, a process known to reflect cumulative physiological stress and lifetime exposures.

The analysis showed that breast cancer survivors experienced a faster rise in biological age between blood draws compared with women without cancer. Within the survivor group, those who received radiation therapy displayed the steepest acceleration, while endocrine therapy and chemotherapy-plus-radiation therapy were associated with comparatively slower, though still elevated, aging trajectories.

Breast cancer affects one in eight women over a lifetime. The disease can be curable, particularly with early detection and effective treatment planning. The findings may help clinicians tailor treatment strategies to balance cancer control with long-term health, potentially improving recovery and quality of life for survivors.

As the researchers noted, breast cancer survivors often show higher rates of age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, and tend to experience more rapid physical and cognitive aging than women without a history of breast cancer. The study aimed to uncover the biological mechanisms behind these observations and to determine which therapies contribute most to long-term aging patterns.

In an aside, a separate note mentions historical references about ancient practices and vitamins in relation to menstrual discomfort, a topic that is unrelated to the primary study but occasionally appears in broader health discussions.

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