Does cancer treatment age you?

rachelhmmd · 10-09-2011, 03:47 PM

Since my treatment (taxol/herceptin, bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction, oopherectomy and AI), beginning two years ago, I feel like I've aged a decade. I'm not sure if it's my "supermenopause," the aftermath of chemo, the stress of the whole ordeal or the constant anxiety about recurrence. When I look in the mirror, or at a photo, I see a much older woman. I still exercise, work full time, but I am always more tired.

Have others experienced this? And, if so, what have they done to remedy it?

NEDenise · 10-09-2011, 03:57 PM

Oh yes! 0y skin alone looks 10 tears older. My bones and joints feel even older. I absolutely think that super-menopause at 46 has taken a toll.
Once I off the treatment treadmill...I'll be eating good foods, moisturizing constantly, and doing lo impact exercise to rejuvenate my skeleton.

I'm hoping to start January 1st! New Year's resolution? Nah...New Shot at Life Resolution!!
Denise

SoCalGal · 10-09-2011, 04:17 PM

IMHO entire ordeal is quite aging. Remedy - outlive your face.

Catherine · 10-09-2011, 08:30 PM

I am 63 and 5.5 years out from DX. Luckily, I seem fine. In comparison to good friends my age, I do feel that I am aging faster than they are. But the good news is, I am aging.

ElaineM · 10-09-2011, 08:42 PM

You got it right Catherine. At least we are aging and getting older. Yeah for us !!!!!!!!

03-14-2012, 11:11 PM

I always wondered why I could not do things like people my own age. Yesterday I went to the optometrist thinking I might need a new prescription on my eyeglasses. Instead I was shocked to find out that at age 57 I am developing cataracts! My mother in her mid 80's just had cataract surgery! The doctor said it was from the cancer treatment. He said when the radiation kills the cancer cells it kills me too. I had breast cancer 3 times in 1998, 05 and 06, two lumpectomy's, radiation in 98 and 05, double mastectomy with lat flap reconstruction and oophrectomy in 06. I knew I had developed osteopenia after the cancer in 06 and knew I had bone spurs & degenerative arthritis in my spine so now it explains it. He said I would need cataract surgery in my mid to late 60's when most people are in their 70's so I realize even though I never had chemo I still aged 10 years and need to cut myself a little slack when I can't do what others do. I am still considered attractive and young looking for my age so they do not really understand how bad I feel a lot of the time. My sister died of breast cancer at age 46 even though it was detected as early as possible so I have to remind myself when I am getting on the pity pot and having a major feeling sorry for myself moment that I am still here. Besides the cancer I had so many other life problems but am determined to make it, exercise no matter how painful, eat right and be an example to my grown sons of how to keep going on when life gets so hard.

Jackie07 · 03-15-2012, 02:00 AM

Hi,

I've actually got a younger-looking face after full-doses of chemotherapy in 2003 and 2007! I refer to them as my 'chemical peel'. A college classmate who visited me last year (our first reunion in almost 30 years) had commented how good I looked - no wrinkles/lines on my face whatsoever (thanks to the oily skin inherited from my father - see profile picture)!

People do think I'm old-looking, though. Mainly because I've had grey hair since my early 20's. But when I put on my wig and dress up, strangers seldom treat me as an 'old' lady.

Physically I'm still quite strong. One of my nieces helped take care of me early 2010 after my hysterectomy/oophorectomy. We took her to see the 'waterfall' at the end of the new walking/biking trail near our neighborhood. She fell asleep while sitting in the couch after coming back from the 15+15 minutes walk!

CoolBreeze · 03-17-2012, 02:12 PM

If you look at photos of me taken 3 years ago, right before dx, and ones now, you see a very different woman. Part of it is when my hair grew back, I didn't dye it, so now I have silver hair instead of red. But, a lot of it is sagging skin, wrinkles, and all the things menopause brings on.

I won't even mention the joint pain and aches. Estrogen is really important to us and it's too bad we can't supplement. It totally would.

I used to look ten years younger than my age. Now I look five years older. My little sister who didn't have cancer still looks ten years younger than her age. I'm afraid folks are going to think I'm her mother soon!

tricia keegan · 03-17-2012, 04:05 PM

I also feel I have aged so much!

mimiflower07 · 03-17-2012, 06:44 PM

Boy can I relate, we really need estrogen my face is falling down and other parts r drying up! 41/2 yrs out and I'm thinking" show me the Botox "
Lol...Suzanne

AlaskaAngel · 03-18-2012, 10:21 AM

The numbers tell us that 2/3 of all breast cancers happen to people over age 55. The spread is slightly younger for those who are HER2 positive but still most are being hit with it at middle age.

We do the best we can. But I think a much better job of it could be done by us and our providers. Breast cancer and treatment have been around for decades, and without truthful information right up front about what we are likely to face, the process is a lot more difficult and painful than it needs to be.

Sometimes it gets hidden behind the excuse that it is okay not to be honest with patients ahead of time because "maybe they won't do what providers think is best". Sometimes it happens just because the nurses who see us haven't had the experience themselves and at 20 or 30 or even 40 they still do have more ability to exercise while eating more, where we don't. The worst among them are the providers who can dole out the treatment and pass out the post-treatment meds and lubricants, but don't provide realistic counseling about aging and sexual changes that come with treatment.

And some of it is the differences among us in age at time of treatment. There are those who are still young and "lucky" because they are on "temporary menopause" through drugs that cause temporary cessation of menstruation -- but at the same time, remain at higher risk for recurrence because they are younger. Unfortunately they often post about how quickly they recovered from treatment, and how easy it was to lose the weight they gained during treatment, and how their hair came back very nicely, as if that is what happens with most cancer patients (and as if most other cancer patients just like to complain more, or aren't trying as hard).

Is it that hard to be truthful about treatment with patients so that they don't end up feeling like they were too stupid to know they were being misled?

AlaskaAngel

chrisy · 03-18-2012, 12:43 PM

Well, yes, all of that. Sometimes, and in some ways I feel all the treatment has "aged" me. Certainly tipped me quickly into menopause and thus has cheated me out of a lot. Sometimes I have marveled at how well I felt, how good I looked compared to those around me of the same "age".

On the other hand,

HOWEVER....
In my case, I know that while treatments may have aged me, they have also allowed me to continue aging. So for now, that's a good thing.

My hope is that better treatments will enable me to continue to age (somewhat) gracefully, until I am aged to perfection.

Carol.hope · 03-21-2012, 05:29 PM

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

Henny · 03-21-2012, 08:23 PM

I took a health assessment from my husband's health insurance company. Even with my exercising, eating right, no smoking, and hardly ever drinking I came out as 7 years older than my 59 years. Boy was I pissed off about that. I retook the test and dropped the part about having cancer and treatment and the program said I have the body of someone 8 years younger.

My conclusion is that you're only as old as you feel and right now I feel great (tho tomorrow morning after a class at the gym I may feel 90!)

Firework · 03-22-2012, 06:19 AM

The treatment following the cancer has taken my sexy away.......I've lost my waist and for the first time in my life have belly fat.Have gained up to 15 pounds since treatment, have brought it down to 10 lbs over my usual. I went into an early menopause, (36) so it shouldn't just be the addition of Arimidex. The bone/joint pain with Nuelasta was terrible for me, unfortunately I have joint pain from Arimidex. I'm turning 50 and have been pretty dry for a number of years..aagh. All in all I would say cancer has doubled my aging years.
On the upside......my sexy is in my head so that can come back with an attitude and perception adjustment.
I'll keep exercising....water aerobics, walking, free weights so at least my new jiggle has to compete with stronger muscle mass.
And for the dryness......has anyone ever tried motor oil?!!!!!!