Accelerated biological aging linked to rise in early‑onset cancers

A study published in Nature Medicine analyzed data from more than 148,000 participants in the UK Biobank and additional US cohorts to assess biological versus chronological age. Researchers found that people born after 1965, and especially those born between 1990 and 1999, show a significantly higher biological age—up to 92 % faster systemic aging compared with older cohorts. The accelerated aging was measured using the PhenoAge biomarker and was associated with markedly increased risks of several cancers diagnosed before age 55, including lung, stomach, colorectal and uterine cancers.

The authors note that the rise in early‑onset cancers worldwide has been steep, with a 79 % increase in cases under age 50 since 1990. While the study does not prove causation, it highlights a strong statistical link between faster biological aging and early cancer development. As Yin Cao, co‑author, explains, "Biological aging reflects the wear that occurs inside the body, including chronic inflammation and immune decline," suggesting that modern environmental factors may be driving both accelerated aging and cancer risk.

The findings could inform future prevention strategies that move beyond generic lifestyle advice toward interventions tailored to an individual’s biological age.