New research shows that younger generations might be aging faster than those who lived decades ago. This phenomenon can become a cause for increased incidence of specific types of cancer among the adults below 50.

The research carried out by researchers from several British universities and published in the Nature Medicine has studied health data of over 154 thousand people from the UK and over 10 thousand people from the USA. The biological age of the participants was estimated by scientists in accordance with various health-related parameters.

According to the results of the research, individuals born after the mid-1960s had a tendency to biological aging. In other words, their organism aged faster than the organisms of people who lived in previous decades.

Moreover, the researchers have found a correlation between the accelerated biological aging and an increased chance to develop different types of cancer before turning 50. Specifically, lung cancer, digestive organ cancer, colorectal cancer, and uterine cancer had the most powerful connection with the accelerated biological aging.

According to the researchers, there are several factors that influence biological aging, such as diet, physical activity, obesity, sleep quality, stress, and environmental exposures. Although the research cannot pinpoint the actual factor contributing to accelerated aging, it shows that contemporary lifestyles may play a role in this phenomenon.

Generally, cancer is believed to be a disease typical for the elderly people. Nevertheless, numerous experts from all around the world have noted an increasing number of certain types of cancer among young adults during the last decades. Studies have already proven that the number of cancer cases registered among people below 50 years old has increased significantly since the 1990s.

Researchers highlighted that their study does not prove a direct link between accelerated aging and cancer. Still, the results of their investigation provide important hints that may help specialists learn more about the rise of cancer incidence among younger adults.

The researchers hope that further studies will shed some light on the factors contributing to accelerated aging and help find new prevention methods. Specialists claim that keeping a healthy lifestyle, exercising, having a proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and taking health tests regularly still plays an important role in health preservation.