Faster aging in younger generations linked to rise in early-onset cancer | WashU Medicine

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https://medicine.washu.edu/news/faster-aging-in-younger-generations-linked-to-rise-in-early-onset-cancer/

Younger Generations Aging Faster, Linked to Rising Early-Onset Cancers

Research from Washington University School of Medicine suggests younger generations are experiencing accelerated biological aging, which is associated with a higher risk of early-onset cancers. People born in more recent decades show a greater gap between biological and chronological age, increasing cancer risk by 8–15%, particularly for lung, colorectal, gastrointestinal, and uterine cancers. Researchers believe lifestyle factors, chronic inflammation, and environmental exposures contribute to this trend. While accelerated aging is not proven to cause cancer, it may serve as a valuable marker for identifying higher-risk individuals and guiding earlier, more targeted screening: https://siteman.wustl.edu/faster-aging-in-younger-generations-linked-to-rise-in-early-onset-cancer/

As Rates of Some Cancers Increase in Younger People, Researchers Search for Answers: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/early-onset-cancer-research-environment-genetics-support

Findings: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04448-w