Young adults today may be ageing biologically faster than previous generations, a trend that could be contributing to the global rise in early-onset cancer, according to a new study.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, come as researchers continue to investigate why cancer diagnoses among people under the age of 50 have increased sharply over the past three decades.
The study found that people born between 1965 and 1974 had a higher biological age than those born between 1950 and 1954, despite being compared at similar stages of life.
Researchers also observed that individuals born between 1990 and 1999 showed signs of more rapid biological ageing than those born between 1965 and 1969.
Unlike chronological age, biological age reflects how quickly the body's cells and tissues are ageing.
Link to rising cancer cases
Professor Yin Cao, a co-author of the study from the Washington University School of Medicine, said some younger people are showing cellular and molecular signs of ageing much earlier than expected.
According to the researchers, these biological changes may be linked to the growing number of cancers diagnosed in younger adults.
While cancer has traditionally been considered a disease associated with old age, cases among younger people have risen significantly in recent decades.
Global increase in early-onset cancer
According to a report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases among people under the age of 50 has increased by 79% worldwide since 1990.
Researchers say the trend has become a growing public health concern and requires further investigation into lifestyle, environmental and biological risk factors.
Childhood cancer cases also rising
The increase is not limited to adults.
Data from the European Cancer Information System showed that approximately 13,800 children and adolescents were diagnosed with cancer across the 27 European Union member states in 2022.
Experts say the findings highlight the need for continued research into the factors driving earlier onset of cancer and the role biological ageing may play.
