In recent years, doctors have noticed a big change: Cancer used to be considered a disease associated with aging, but now the incidence is increasing rapidly in people aged 30 to 40. Why is this happening? A new study recently published in *Nature* journal tries to answer this question. According to research, the bodies of today’s young generation are aging biologically faster than before, and this change may increase the risk of cancer at a young age.
When does the danger increase?
Citing this study, cardiologist Dr. Afshin Imrani wrote on social media platform In other words, the greater the difference between your chronological age (age based on date of birth) and your body’s biological age, the greater your risk of disease. In this research, blood samples of more than 1,54,000 people from UK Biobank and health data of more than 10,000 people involved in America’s ‘All of Us’ research program were analyzed. Scientists compared people born in the 1950s with people born between 1965 and 1974 and in the 1990s. The results revealed that the pace of biological aging in the new generation is much faster than before.
What are the 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 developing 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 damage of DNA in the cells of the body is a normal process related to aging. However, if this decline begins to occur rapidly at an early age, the body begins to age 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 thing is that the pace of biological aging can be slowed down to a great extent. Experts recommend exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and getting plenty of sleep. Researchers believe that if people at high risk are identified early, the risk of cancer can be reduced through timely screening and preventive measures.
