Although I can't directly answer your question, I will suggest a similar phenomenon in humans.
Many human cells contain functional units which work to repair broken DNA/RNA [0]. Furthermore, these repair mechanisms are enhanced/stimulated by increased levels of background radiation [1]. Thus, if human cells contain DNA repair mechanisms which are stimulated by DNA damage (from radiation or any other source), and we live in a constant background of damage inducing radiation, then we constantly have DNA repair mechanisms working in our cells. If we remove a source of DNA damage, then it is not unreasonable to guess that a lower number of DNA repair mechanisms are present in cells.
In something as complex as the human body, I would guess (baselessly), this probably has secondary effects which could include growth/cell reproduction/health.
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Although I can't directly answer your question, I will suggest a similar phenomenon in humans. Many human cells contain functional units which work to repair broken DNA/RNA [0]. Furthermore, these repair mechanisms are enhanced/stimulated by increased levels of background radiation [1]. Thus, if human cells contain DNA repair mechanisms which are stimulated by DNA damage (from radiation or any other source), and we live in a constant background of damage inducing radiation, then we constantly have DNA repair mechanisms working in our cells. If we remove a source of DNA damage, then it is not unreasonable to guess that a lower number of DNA repair mechanisms are present in cells. In something as complex as the human body, I would guess (baselessly), this probably has secondary effects which could include growth/cell reproduction/health.
[0] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_repair [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_repair#Global_response_to_...