More cancer-prone? Why younger generations may be at risk

In recent years, younger generations are becoming increasingly susceptible to cancer, according to the German Cancer Research Center. Susanna, diagnosed with bowel cancer at 28, and Andre, who developed lung cancer at 34, are among those who have turned to social media to discuss their experiences. Researchers have observed a similar trend in the United States, with higher ratios of early-onset cancer cases.

Traditionally, cancer has been considered an age-related disease, with an average cancer diagnosis age of around 69 for both men and women. However, new research suggests that younger individuals may be at higher risk due to a growing gap between their biological and chronological ages. This gap indicates that younger people are aging at a faster rate than previous generations.

A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that people born between 1965 and 1974 have a significantly larger gap in biological age compared to those born between 1950 and 1954. The younger the cohort, the wider the gap appears to be. This phenomenon has been observed in the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, and other countries, with individuals born in the 1990s facing a fourfold higher risk of early-onset colorectal cancer compared to those born in the 1960s.

While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and social connections can impact biological aging, the study concludes that about 50% of an individual's biological age is genetically predetermined. Researchers recommend adhering to a healthy lifestyle to help slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of early-onset cancer.