Does Radiotherapy Make You Look Older? Find Out Now!

Every person reacts differently to various treatments. Any radiotherapy side effects you encounter depend on the location and type of your cancer, the radiation dose administered, and your overall health and well-being. While some may show few side effects, others might not! 

Several prospective longitudinal types of research conducted on radiotherapy symptoms and their side effects highlight the rising concerns of accelerated biological aging in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Something called epigenetic age acceleration (EEA) is closely associated with fatigue and inflammation. 

Chronological age is a crucial risk factor for your chronic health condition; epigenetic age is limited concerning age-related disorders. On the contrary, epigenetic clocks are considered reliable aging biomarkers today. These epigenetic clocks use DNA methylation measures to detect the side effects of radiotherapy on your aging. 

Researchers indicate that the magnitude of age or survival rate gradually reduces with radiotherapy side effects. EEA is positively observed in patients suffering from several inflammatory lesions over time. The findings of these studies also add up the concepts of long-term toxicity and increased mortality with an increase in radiotherapy symptoms and side effects.  

How Soon Do You Start Showing Radiotherapy Side Effects?

There are two critical radiotherapy side effects - early and late. The early ones include fatigue and nausea. The late ones include lung or heart issues. While the early ones are triggered immediately, the late ones consume time to develop and progress. The early ones are short-lived, while the long ones are prolonged. 

While radiotherapy does make you look older, there are ways of effectively managing your health. 

How Should You Handle Fatigue?

Cancer and radiotherapy symptoms differ from one person to another. They are distressing, exhaustive, and persistent. This fatigue does not improve with rest and keeps you from performing your daily activities. Cancer-related fatigue is not merely an ancillary symptom but a dangerous biological clock at work in such patients. 

• Care for your health and stick to your medicine routine. Make sure you rest well and eat the right food. 
• Work with your counselor or doctor to learn how to save energy, reduce stress, and stay distracted from fatigue. 
• Save your energies for the activities that you feel are important.
• Balance well between your resting phase and your activities. Too much rest can instantly make you feel sluggish or more tired. But do not over-schedule your days without adequate breaks. 

How Should You Deal With Skin Problems?

Your skin might witness the same radiotherapy side effects as it does when exposed to excessive sunlight. It might appear sunburned, tanned or red, flaky, dry, or itchy. 

All you need to do to keep radiotherapy side effects away is to be gentle with your skin. Here is how you can do that. 

• Avoid putting on tight clothes over the treated area.
• Do not opt for rubbing or scrubbing your skin. It would help if you preferred using a mild soap with lukewarm water. 
• Avoid contact with hot or cold in the treated area unless your doctor asks you to do it. 
• Consult your doctor before applying topical ointment, lotion, or powder on the treated area. 
• Keep yourself out of the sun’s exposure as much as possible. Cover the treated area either with hats or any other clothing. Ask your doctor whether you can use a good sunscreen. 
• If you had radiotherapy for breast cancer, avoid wearing bras. If this is not possible, then put on a soft variety made with cotton without any underwriting. 

Conclusion 

A combination of advancements in radiotherapy procedures and medications, good health and lifestyle management, and a regular consultation with your doctor play a pivotal role in lengthening your lifespan. Therefore, talk to your doctor to understand the potential risks associated with your radiotherapy sessions and find effective ways to manage those risks.