Aging is a physiological condition that occurs naturally in all living things. It falls into two categories: chronological and biological. The aging process has several negative impacts which have lately been magnified due to a wide array of causes brought about by changing times. This literature review's primary goal is to examine the role of rapid biological aging and its relationship to the early onset of cancer in the younger generations. It also explores potential preventative and therapeutic strategies for these patients.

We now know that all living things, from microscopic bacteria to highly sophisticated humans at the top of the food chain, experience aging. Aging is a natural aspect of all living things rather than a sickness. It is the result of the accumulation of various forms of cellular damage over time at the biological level, which gradually deteriorates normal functioning and increases the risk of disease and, eventually, death. While biological age is defined by epigenetic changes and DNA methylation, which indicate an individual's level of efficiency and functionality as well as the presence or absence of diseases associated with aging, chronological aging reflects an individual's duration of life. Understanding the precise pathophysiology and etiology of cancer is still a challenge due to it being such a complex disease. This disorder is caused by a number of circumstances, including chemical alterations, radiation exposure, smoking, and others. Currently, ongoing studies and research facilitate the process of further deciphering this illness. Comprehending these variables facilitates prompt diagnosis and guarantees efficacious remedies, thus augmenting the population's longevity.

Understanding the relationship between aging and early onset cancer

“Multiple cancer types are becoming increasingly common among younger adults in the United States and globally,” said Ruiyi Tian, MPH, a graduate student in the lab of Yin Cao, ScD, MPH at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Understanding the factors driving this increase will be key to improving the prevention or early detection of cancers in younger and future generations.”

Many trials are being carried out in response to the rising global cancer burden.It is well known that as people age, their risk of developing cancer increases. However, it's noteworthy to note that younger people are experiencing an increase in cancer incidence than older people. A study that was recently presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024 revealed a current correlation between younger generations and early cancer incidence.

In order to investigate the relationship between aging and early-onset cancers, researchers at UK Biobank examined blood samples from 149,000 individuals in the 34–54 age range. They looked for nine blood-based biomarkers, such as liver protein albumin, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, C-reactive protein, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular volume, and these data were fed into a computer program known as "phenoage."This establishes the individual's biological age. Researchers discovered that: older adults born between 1950 and 1954 had a 17% lower likelihood of exhibiting accelerated aging than those born in or after 1965.

Researchers looked at the Cancer registry before conducting this survey to see if participants had received a cancer diagnosis before turning 55 or not. As a result, they found that those who were biologically aging faster, or younger adults, had a higher risk of early-onset cancers. These individuals scored higher for early-onset lung cancer, early-onset gastrointestinal cancer, and early-onset uterine cancer, with increases of 22%, 36%, and 42%, respectively. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that while accelerated aging was linked to a 16% increased risk of late-onset gastrointestinal cancer and a 23% increased risk of late-onset uterine cancer, it had no discernible effect on the risk of late-onset lung cancer (defined as cancer diagnosed after the age of 55).

Though the common consensus is that age raises one's risk of cancer, in the last ten years there has been an unsettling trend of younger people developing tumors at an earlier age without any apparent cause. Although this research has provided fresh insights and brought us one step closer to a better knowledge of cancer, its limitations prevent it from being regarded as scientifically verified . More trials are necessary. However, there are steps that can be taken to evaluate biological aging, which may help younger adults who are at a higher risk of developing cancers by slowing down the aging process. Regardless of age, gender, or occupation, people should concentrate on slowing down biological aging by eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet; switching to organic food, regular exercise, stress reduction, improving mental health, and—most importantly—obtaining enough sleep.

(Article written by Dr. Thiago Freire and Mahesha Kiranamayi)

References

Bian, L., Ma, Z., Fu, X., Chen, J., Wang, T., Yan, C., Dai, J., Ma, H., Hu, Z., Shen, H., Wang, L., Zhu, M., & Jin, G. (2024, April 11). Associations of Combined Phenotypic Aging and Genetic Risk with Incident Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Anisimov, V. N., Sikora, E., & Pawelec, G. (2009, January 21). Relationships between cancer and aging: a multilevel approach.
Tabori, U., Nanda, S., Druker, H., Lees, J., & Malkin, D. (2007, February 15). Younger Age of Cancer Initiation Is Associated with Shorter Telomere Length in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.
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