Childhood cancer survivors ‘age faster and die younger’

 People who survive childhood cancer age faster and are more likely to die early, a new study has found.

Researchers in the US found that the average life expectancy of childhood cancer survivors is 30 per cent lower than the norm, so even if someone survives the disease in childhood, they are likely to die in their 50s, rather than their 80s. They are also more likely to have heart issues, secondary cancers and other age-associated illnesses.

Lead researcher Dr Shahrukh Hashmi of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said: “While ageing prematurely is a better alternative to dying prematurely, a better understanding of what drives this process presents an opportunity for improvement.”