The acceleration of ageing in older patients with cancer

Jaidyn Muhandiramge; Suzanne Orchard; Andrew Haydon; John Zalcberg

doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2020.09.010

The acceleration of ageing in older patients with cancer

J Geriatr Oncol. 2021 Apr;12(3):343-351. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2020.09.010. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

Authors

Jaidyn Muhandiramge¹, Suzanne Orchard², Andrew Haydon³, John Zalcberg⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Medical Oncology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 32933870
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2020.09.010

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Accelerated ageing; Ageing; Cancer; Chronic disease; Cognitive decline; Frailty; Functional decline; Older patients.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acceleration
Aged
Aging*
Humans
Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Neoplasms* / therapy
Risk Factors