Key Takeaways
- A study published in Nature Medicine examined the link between biological aging and early-onset cancer.
- Researchers analyzed data from more than 154,000 people and confirmed the results in a U.S. dataset.
- People born after 1965 showed faster biological aging compared with earlier generations.
- Faster biological aging was associated with a higher risk of some cancers diagnosed before age 50.
- The study shows an association, but it does not prove that faster aging causes cancer.
Cancer rates among younger adults have increased in recent decades. Researchers are investigating why some cancers are appearing earlier in life.
A new study published in Nature Medicine looked at whether faster biological aging could be linked to this trend. The researchers compared biological aging patterns between generations and studied their relationship with early-onset cancer risk.
What the study found
Participants
The study included 154,169 participants from the UK Biobank. Researchers also tested their findings in 10,262 participants from a U.S. dataset.
PhenoAge: measuring biological aging
Researchers used PhenoAge, a tool that estimates biological age using blood markers.
The tool includes markers linked to:
- Inflammation.
- Immune function.
- Metabolism.
- Organ health.
Unlike chronological age, biological age reflects how the body changes over time.
Main results
Researchers found that younger generations showed faster biological aging. People born between 1965 and 1974 aged biologically faster than people born in earlier decades.
Faster biological aging was associated with a higher risk of:
- Lung cancer.
- Uterine cancer.
- Gastrointestinal cancers.
The study reported:
- 42% higher lung cancer risk.
- 36% higher uterine cancer risk.
- 22% higher gastrointestinal cancer risk.
Watch the study explained.
The video provides a summary of the study and explains the possible link between biological aging and cancer risk.
How biological aging may be linked to cancer risk
Biological aging affects how cells and tissues function.
Faster aging may be linked to:
- Higher inflammation.
- Changes in immune function.
- Reduced ability to repair damaged cells.
Researchers suggest these changes may create conditions that increase cancer risk. However, the exact mechanisms are still unclear.
Why younger generations may be aging faster
Researchers are studying the role of the exposome. The exposome includes all environmental and lifestyle factors a person experiences during life.
Possible factors include:
- Diet
Diets high in processed foods may increase inflammation and affect metabolism.
Poor sleep may affect processes involved in healthy aging.
- Stress
Long-term stress may influence inflammation and body functions.
- Environmental exposure
Some chemicals and pollutants are being studied for their possible effects on aging.
These factors may contribute to faster biological aging, but more research is needed.
Key concept: What is the exposome?
The exposome includes all environmental and lifestyle factors that influence the body throughout life, such as diet, stress, sleep, and chemical exposure.
Can biological aging be slowed?
Biological age can change over time.
Research suggests that some habits are linked to healthier aging:
- Regular physical activity.
- A balanced diet.
- Good sleep habits.
- Stress management.
However, these habits do not guarantee cancer prevention.
Limits of the study
This study found a link between faster biological aging and cancer risk. It does not show that accelerated aging directly causes cancer.
More research is needed to understand how genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors contribute to these changes.
Level of evidence
This study analyzed large population datasets and biological aging measurements. The results provide evidence of an association, but further studies are needed to confirm the causes.
Conclusion
The study suggests that faster biological aging may be related to the increase in some early-onset cancers. It adds another possible explanation for why some cancers are appearing earlier in life.
More research is needed before biological aging measurements can be used in clinical practice.
Methodology
Researchers used the PhenoAge tool to measure biological aging in UK Biobank participants.
They compared aging patterns between generations and analyzed their relationship with early-onset cancer risk
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
The study found an association between biological aging and cancer risk. It does not prove that faster biological aging directly causes cancer.
Sources
- Tian R., et al. (2026). Biological aging and generational shifts in early-onset cancer risk. Nature Medicine.
- Nature Medicine (2026). Biological aging might help to explain the rising risk of early-onset cancer.
- Washington University School of Medicine. Faster aging in younger generations linked to rise in early-onset cancer.
- Liu Z., et al. (2018). A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV. PLOS Medicine.
