Does cancer treatment age you?

[Carol.hope]

Studies published in 2001-2006 show that chemo shortens telomeres, which are the ends of our DNA strands. They are responsible for replicating and making new cells, which is what keeps us young. As we age, they are less able to make new cells, so we are left with our old cells. A study published in Clinical Cancer Research in 2006 showed that 8 weeks of cisplatin reduced telomere length the equivalent of 22 years of natural aging! Just imagine the impacts to those of us who had A/C and Taxol (before our favorite, Herceptin). I think we look pretty good for being at least22 years older than our calendar age!

It's the steroids that cause cataracts. I had both lenses replaced a year after chemo, and was so pleased to have better vision! That's what we get from cancer and chemo - a whole new look at life!

Carol