Rapid Biological Aging Is the Cause of the Rise in Cancer Among Youth
According to an international study, the increasing cancer cases in individuals under 55 are directly linked to cells aging faster than their chronological age.
A comprehensive study conducted in the US and the UK examined the underlying mechanism behind the rise in cancer cases among young adults. Accordingly, a biological aging process in the body that is faster than its chronological age significantly increases the risk of cancer.
Scope of the International Research
In the international study led by Washington University School of Medicine and conducted in the US and the UK, genetic, biological, and lifestyle data of more than 160,000 individuals were analyzed in detail.
As a result of the examinations, it was determined that individuals born in recent generations exhibit an older profile at the cellular and organ level compared to previous generations.
15 Percent Increase in Cancer Risk
It was determined that the risk of early-onset cancer increases by up to 15 percent in individuals whose biological age progresses faster than their chronological age. This finding revealed the direct impact of cellular aging on disease risks.
System Aging and Tumor Types
It was noted that accelerated biological aging is directly associated particularly with lung, uterine, and gastrointestinal system cancers. Researchers pointed out that the aging rate of different organs and systems in the body triggers different types of tumors.
It was observed that the early aging of the immune system increases the risk of early-stage lung cancer, while the rapid aging of adipose tissue triggers colorectal cancer cases.
Opportunities for Early Diagnosis in the Future
Dr. Yin Cao, who led the research, stated that the cellular traces left in the body by modern environmental conditions and lifestyle increase cancer susceptibility. It was stated that biological age measurements could be used for the early detection of high-risk young individuals in the future.