Increasing risk of cancer at an early age and its causes

Reason for increase in cancer cases

In recent years, physicians have observed a significant change: Cancer used to be considered a disease related to aging, but now its cases are increasing rapidly in young people in their 30s and 40s. Why is this change happening? A study recently published in the journal *Nature* attempts to answer this question. According to research, the bodies of today’s young generation are aging biologically faster than before, which may increase the risk of cancer at a younger age.

When does the danger increase?

Referring to this study, cardiologist Dr. Afshin Imrani told on social media platform In other words, the greater the difference between your chronological age (by date of birth) and biological age, the greater your risk of disease. The research analyzed blood samples from more than 154,000 people from the UK Biobank and health data from more than 10,000 people involved in the US ‘All of Us’ research programme. Scientists compared people born in the 1950s with people born between 1965 and 1974 and in the 1990s. The results showed that the pace of biological aging in the new generation is much faster than before.

Dangers associated with the difference between biological and chronological age

According to research, the greater the difference between the biological age and chronological age of the body, the greater the risk of cancer. The study also found that people whose immune systems appeared older than their chronological age had a higher risk of lung cancer at a younger age. At the same time, people whose fat tissue was aging rapidly had a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Damage to the body due to aging

Experts say that DNA damage in the body’s cells is a normal process of aging. However, if this decline starts happening rapidly at an early age, the body starts aging prematurely. Factors such as poor diet, obesity, smoking, pollution, lack of physical activity and inadequate sleep can contribute to this.

Can this process be slowed down?

The good news is that the pace of biological aging can be slowed to a great extent. Experts recommend regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and getting enough sleep. Researchers believe that if high-risk individuals are identified early, timely screening and preventive measures can reduce the risk of cancer.