By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-23 12:34:47 | Updated at 2026-06-23 13:39:05
1 hour ago
Younger adults are ageing faster than generations before them, making them more susceptible to cancer, research suggests.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that 11 cancers are now rising among adults aged 20 to 49 – including breast, bowel and pancreatic cancer. Traditionally the disease has been more common in older age groups, leaving experts searching for answers.
Several theories have been proposed, pointing to factors such as poor diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, disruption of the gut microbiome and even exposure to microplastics.
However, a new study published in Nature Medicine suggests a different explanation: the way our bodies are ageing internally.
Rather than relying on chronological age – the number of years a person has lived – scientists are increasingly focusing on 'biological age'. This reflects how well the body is functioning and ageing, based on factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, stress levels, fitness, inflammation and overall metabolic health.
In an analysis of blood samples from around 164,000 adults in the UK and the United States, researchers found evidence of 'accelerated biological ageing' among people in their 30s and 40s – a pattern not observed in their parents' generation.
Those born between 1965 and 1974 showed signs of ageing faster at a cellular level than individuals born two decades earlier. In effect, their bodies appeared older than would be expected for their actual age.
The findings raise the possibility that this accelerated internal ageing could be contributing to the growing incidence of cancer among younger adults, though researchers stress that multiple factors are likely to be involved.
The new study found that adults are ageing faster than their parents at a cellular level
They discovered this after comparing the blood samples and other health data across different age groups, noting any presence of 'wear and tear' markers – such as damaged DNA and inflammation – that are typically caused by unhealthy lifestyles and exposure to pollutants.
Concerningly, people now in their fifties showed signs of accelerated biological ageing as younger adults, ageing 23 per cent faster than those now in their seventies.
The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, also found that adults whose biological age was higher than their actual age faced an increased risk of developing cancer before 55.
Yin Cao of Washington University School of Medicine, an author of the study, said: 'Biological ageing isn't just about the number of birthdays you've had, it reflects wear and tear happening inside the body at a cellular and molecular level.
'This can include changes that affect how cells and tissues function, such as chronic inflammation, weakening of the immune system and damage building up in cells over time.
'Our findings suggest that some younger adults may be experiencing these biological changes earlier than expected, and that this could be linked to the rising rates of cancers seen in younger generations.'
The researchers stressed that the study was observational, meaning it cannot prove that accelerated biological ageing directly causes cancer.
They said further research, involving larger groups of people and repeated biological age measurements over time, is needed to confirm the findings and understand what may be driving the link.
Dr John Riches, Clinical Reader in Cancer Immuno-metabolism at Barts Cancer Institute – who was not connected to the study – said: 'This study offers an important new clue as to why we are seeing more cancers diagnosed in younger adults.
'While cancer is still predominantly a disease of older age, researchers around the world are trying to understand why rates of some cancers are rising in younger generations, and these findings suggest that accelerated biological ageing may be playing a role.
'What makes this research particularly significant is that it looks beyond individual cancer cells and considers the wider changes taking place across the body over time.
'The findings reinforce the idea that factors such as our environment, lifestyle and overall health can have long-term effects on the body's biological processes.
'Importantly, this study does not show that faster biological ageing directly causes cancer, but it provides a strong basis for further research.
'A better understanding of these processes could help identify people at increased risk earlier and support the development of more effective prevention and early detection strategies in the future.'
