Cancer Cases in Younger Adults Are Rising – Could Accelerated Aging Be an Important Cause?

Recent studies show that cancer diagnoses in people under 50 are increasing worldwide, not just in the United States. Studies covering the period between 1990 and 2019 show that the incidence of early-onset cancers increased by 79% , while the mortality rate rose to 28% .

A prospective study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in 2024 examined the relationship in younger generations between biological age exceeding chronological age (accelerated aging) and the rising global incidence of early-onset cancers (Abstract 846).

The researchers found that accelerated aging was more prevalent in more recently born groups as a risk factor for developing early-onset solid cancers, particularly lung, gastrointestinal (stomach and intestinal), and uterine cancers.

When Biological Age Exceeds Chronological Age...

Accelerated aging indicates how much a person's biological age differs from their chronological age. When biological age is higher than chronological age, this is called accelerated aging, meaning that the body is aging faster relative to chronological age. Conversely, when biological age is lower than chronological age, this is called slow aging, meaning that the body is aging more slowly relative to chronological age.

An individual's biological age is calculated with the Klemera & Doubal Method (KDM) . This method compares measurements with those of the general population of the same age, using age-aligned biomarker values from a reference dataset for comparison.

• An individual's biological age: This is a measure of how healthy and fit someone is compared with their chronological age (their age determined by their date of birth).
• Klemera & Doubal Method (KDM): This method estimates biological age using a mathematical model. The model uses measurements such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels as part of a range of biomarkers in its calculations.
• General population: This is the entire group of people being studied.
• Biomarker: These are measurements reflecting a person's overall health. Biomarkers include blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and measures of immune system function.
• Reference dataset: This is a collection of human data used to train the KDM model. The reference dataset includes people with known biological ages and biomarkers that the KDM model can predict.

Example:

Suppose we want to calculate the biological age of a 40-year-old individual. The KDM model measures that person's biomarkers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It then compares these values with biomarker values for 40-year-olds in the general population. If the individual's biomarker values are higher than average, their biological age is higher than their chronological age.

Study Methodology

Researchers examined information from the UK Biobank database on 148,724 participants aged 37 to 54 to investigate the link between accelerated aging and the risk of cancer diagnosed before age 55 , focusing on solid cancers (those originating in tissues or organs).

Results

The researchers highlighted an increased risk of aging relative to chronological age in more recently born groups.

People born in 1965 or later were found to have a 17% higher risk of accelerated aging than those born between 1950 and 1954.

After adjustment for multiple variables, accelerated biological aging was observed to increase the risk of early-onset cancers.

Compared with the group with the lowest risk of accelerated aging (the bottom third), people in the group with the highest risk of accelerated aging (the top third) had:

• A 2-fold risk of lung cancer,
• A 1.6-fold risk of gastrointestinal cancer,
• A 1.8-fold risk of uterine cancer.

The researchers concluded the study by stating, "The much greater prevalence of accelerated aging among people born more recently may be a risk factor for early-stage solid cancers, particularly lung, gastrointestinal, and uterine cancers."

What Does This Study Mean for Clinical Practice?

Study author Ruiyi Tian said, "Our findings suggest that interventions to slow biological aging could offer a new avenue for cancer prevention, and that screening efforts targeting younger individuals with signs of accelerated aging could help detect cancers early."

How Can Accelerated Aging Be Prevented?

Research suggests that the following habits help delay biological aging:

• Being active / exercising,
• Maintaining an ideal weight,
• Not smoking,
• Not drinking alcohol,
• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule,
• Mediterranean diet or another dietary pattern proven to be healthy, and
• Keeping total daily food consumption balanced. Adopting these habits, or maintaining them if they are already part of your life, slows biological aging.

The researchers believe further research is needed to identify the mechanisms driving accelerated aging and early-stage cancers, in order to guide the development of precision cancer prevention strategies and treatments.