Recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence of early-onset cancer diagnosed in adults under 50, with factors such as lifestyle and environmental influences believed to play a role. A new study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting suggests that accelerated biological aging could be driving the development of early-onset cancers. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine analyzed data from over 148,000 individuals in the UK Biobank and found that participants born in or after 1965 had a 17% increased likelihood of accelerated aging compared to those born between 1950 and 1954. Accelerated aging was associated with a higher risk of developing early-onset cancers, as well as late-onset gastrointestinal cancer and uterine cancer. The study’s lead author, Ruiyi Tian, emphasized the importance of understanding the factors driving the increase in early-onset cancers to improve prevention and early detection efforts.
Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, a surgical oncologist and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute, described the study’s findings as a possible explanation for the rise in early-onset cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. He noted that individuals born after 1965 seem to exhibit accelerated biological aging compared to those born earlier. Jack Jacoub, MD, a medical oncologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute, highlighted the simplicity of the parameters evaluated in the study, suggesting that the concept of cellular aging is gaining traction in the medical field and could have implications for cancer development and other human diseases. Andre Goy, MD, chair of oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the lifestyle factors contributing to cancer risk, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and stress. Goy suggested that improved dietary habits, regular physical activity, and addressing microbiome changes through a healthy diet could help reduce biological aging and lower cancer risk.
The Cancer Statistics 2024 report from the American Cancer Society revealed an increase in cervical and colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger males and females. Another study reported a global rise in the incidence of 29 cancers by approximately 79% between 1990 and 2019, with early-onset cancer deaths increasing by about 28% during the same period. While scientists acknowledge that lifestyle and environmental factors likely contribute to the increase in early-onset cancers, more research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes. The study on accelerated biological aging offers a new perspective on the shared etiology of early-onset cancers, highlighting the potential for interventions to slow down biological aging as a new approach to cancer prevention. By identifying signs of accelerated aging in younger individuals, tailored screening efforts could help detect cancers early and improve outcomes for future generations.
Experts in the field of oncology stress the importance of addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to cancer risk, such as poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress. Goy emphasized the need for preemptive medicine driven by molecular wellness, focusing on measuring the benefits of lifestyle changes to reduce biological aging and lower cancer risk. He highlighted the role of the microbiome in promoting chronic inflammation and cancer and suggested that correcting dysbiosis through dietary interventions could be crucial in future medical interventions. Overall, the increase in early-onset cancer cases underscores the need for further research into the factors driving this trend and the potential impact of interventions aimed at slowing down biological aging on cancer prevention and early detection efforts.
