Recent generations may be aging faster than previous ones. A health data analysis reveals a troubling coincidence: a biological acceleration seems to accompany a rise in early-onset cancers among adults under 50. Scientists are trying to identify the responsible factors, beyond improved screening alone.
To measure this phenomenon, researchers use the concept of biological age, which differs from chronological age. It assesses the real wear and tear on the body through blood and genetic markers. Statistical models, such as PhenoAge, estimate this gap. These tools help understand why some people develop aging-related diseases earlier than others.
The study analyzed data from more than 150,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Result: people born between 1965 and 1974 show a larger biological age gap than those born between 1950 and 1954, relative to their calendar age. This finding was confirmed in a second US cohort, where the gap was even more pronounced for the 1990-1999 generations.
These biological age gaps are associated with an increased risk of early-onset cancers, particularly those of the lung, digestive tract, and uterus. Participants with the largest gap had about 15% higher risk compared to those with the smallest gap. Specific markers, such as accelerated immune aging, were linked to certain types of cancer.
However, note: these results do not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Biological age tests are still recent and their individual interpretation remains limited. The observed differences could also stem from how PhenoAge was calibrated. Additional validations are needed before reaching certainty.
Despite these limitations, this approach opens a promising avenue for understanding the rise in early-onset cancers. By combining large databases with biological ages, researchers hope to identify hidden risk factors. The goal: better prevent these diseases that are affecting more and more young adults.