Contemporary advances in cancer treatment have dramatically increased cancer survival rates over the past several decades, leading to an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors living in the United States [1,2]. Yet, such treatments have been shown in laboratory studies to cause cell damage through many of the same mechanisms that are thought to underlie the normal aging process [3]. Thus, the treatments that spare cancer survivors from mortality related to their cancer may adversely alter their aging trajectory, putting the cancer survivor at risk for a broad spectrum of aging-related health conditions, including cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, second cancers, and frailty, at a younger age than would occur with the normal aging process [3,4]. This phenomenon, known as "premature aging" or "accelerated aging," can lead to decreased quality of life, reduced healthspan, and, ultimately, premature mortality for the cancer survivor [4].This special section features studies examining trajectories of accelerated aging among cancer survivors, promising biomarkers to identify cancer survivors at risk of accelerated aging, and intervention strategies to prevent, mitigate, and reduce the aging effects of cancer and its treatment. Opportunities for future research directions are also highlighted. The goal of this special section is to increase awareness of the impact that cancer and its treatment have on the normal * Lisa Gallicchio