Breast cancer treatment and aging; ‘concepts of a plan;’ extreme exercise and health – Morning Medical Update

Breast cancer treatment and aging

Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer begins a fight for survival. Treatments may save patients, but it appears chemotherapy, radiation and surgery all may accelerate the biological aging process in survivors. Researchers found DNA damage response, cellular senescence, and inflammatory pathways all increase in breast cancer survivors, regardless of the treatment type. “While we expected to see increased gene expression linked to biological aging in women who received chemotherapy, we were surprised to find similar changes in those who only underwent radiation or surgery,” one researcher said. UCLA Health has the study.

‘Concepts of a plan’

Debating Vice President Kamala Harris in September, former President Donald Trump said he has “concepts of a plan” to improve the Affordable Care Act. Now the Committee to Protect Health Care, a national group of physicians, is asking him to present those to voters before the November election. Rolling Stone has more.

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Spelunking in the ‘pain cave’

If you’re a family doctor, chances are you’ve had to tell patients they should get more exercise for better health. Here’s a group of extreme exercise enthusiasts who maybe need a little less. But proponents say pushing their bodies to physical limits – even into the “pain cave” – is a counter to a modern world of creature comforts leading to physical and mental softness. The Boston Globe has this report.