Young People Are Aging Faster: Washington University Study Links Obesity, Sedentary Lifestyles, and Poor Sleep Quality to Increased Cancer Risk

Both colon cancer and bone marrow cancer have seen a rise in cases among younger individuals, according to medical professionals. A new study offers a possible explanation: young people seem to be aging faster. At the age of 28, Susanna was diagnosed with colon cancer, while Andre developed lung cancer at 34. Both have shared their battles with the disease on social media. Susanna and Andre's cases are not isolated. The German Cancer Research Center found a significant increase in the incidence of colon cancer among people aged 20 to 39 in Germany. Researchers in the United States have observed a similar trend, with even higher incidence rates than in Germany. More and more young people are also being diagnosed with other types of cancer, including bone marrow cancer and endometrial cancer. Cancer is traditionally considered an age-related disease. According to statistics from the German Cancer Aid organization, the median age at diagnosis for both men and women is 69 years. When specific segments of genes change and cannot be repaired, cancer cells are produced; as age increases, the reliability of the body's repair system decreases. The gap between actual age and biological age is widening. A new study from the University of Washington School of Medicine has found a clue that helps explain why the proportion of people under 50 developing certain cancers is increasing: the gap between young people's actual age and biological age is widening. Actual age refers to how many years have passed since birth, while biological age reflects the degree of bodily aging. Different organs and tissues may age at different rates. In other words, a person's liver, brain, and heart may have different biological ages and may differ significantly from that individual's actual age. Senior physician and hematologist at Cologne University Hospital and project leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging, Ron Jachimowicz, stated that this new study was the first to establish a link between the widening gap between young people's actual age and biological age and early-onset cancer. However, Jachimowicz pointed out that it must be made clear that this is a correlational study, and the results only provide a certain indication—although it seems quite credible. Jachimowicz noted that researchers had previously known that 'there is a link between biological age and increased susceptibility to cancer.' However, measuring biological age is not easy. Multiple indicators must be considered comprehensively, and there is no single and precise detection method. Specific methods include using epigenetic testing to measure chemical changes in DNA, analyzing specific blood test results, and measuring the length of telomeres (protective structures at the ends of chromosomes). Additionally, physiological tests are conducted to assess the functions of the body and organs as well as cognitive abilities. The authors of this study comprehensively used the above multiple measurement methods and analyzed data from over 150,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a British biomedical database. The analysis showed that people born between 1965 and 1974 had a significantly larger gap between their actual age and biological age than those born between 1950 and 1954. Moreover, the younger the research subjects, the larger this gap. Analysis of more than 10,000 people in the United States showed that people born between 1990 and 1999 had a larger gap between their actual age and biological age than those born between 1965 and 1969. 'In Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, people born in the 1990s have at least four times the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer as those born in the 1960s,' the researchers wrote. Can people influence their biological age? In the past, it was believed that lifestyle choices could influence biological age by 75% to 90%. But Ron Jachimowicz pointed out that this is not the case: 'We can influence 50% of it, while the other 50% is determined by genes.' Jachimowicz stated that the very 'typical lifestyle intervention measures' that can delay the aging process are: regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and staying away from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. The doctor also emphasized that the role of social interaction should not be underestimated. As for why the biological aging speed of the younger generation is faster than that of their parents and grandparents, this question is relatively difficult to answer, but there are relevant hypotheses. Epidemiologist Yuan Yunwei (phonetic transcription) from the Cancer Early Detection Clinical Epidemiology Laboratory at the Heidelberg German Cancer Research Center pointed out: 'Young people today often become obese earlier and thus stay in an obese state for a longer time.' In addition, young people sit for longer periods and often sit in front of screens for extended periods, resulting in poorer sleep quality. She also mentioned that this study provided a key clue that aligns with the assumptions of cancer researchers. She also emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing early-onset cancer and added: 'If you feel unwell, you should seek medical attention and undergo screening as soon as possible.' On this point, there is personal experience. This 32-year-old researcher was diagnosed with colon polyps last year after feeling unwell for some time. Colon polyps are initially benign, but if left untreated, they can develop into cancer. Ms. Yuan therefore pointed out that it is crucial to pay close attention to the signals from the body and take action when there is suspicion. Can doctors measure my biological age? Dr. Ron Jachimowicz stated that the answer is no. Measuring biological age 'belongs to the scope of current scientific research but has not yet been incorporated into routine diagnosis or clinical practice.' However, Jachimowicz believes that this is the direction of future development—especially when it comes to early detection of cancer and potential interventions. This is precisely why the current study is particularly important. It points the way for researchers. 'This is a prospect that can be realized, an exciting prospect.' DW Chinese has Instagram! Search for dw.chinese to see more in-depth and easy-to-understand image and video reports. © 2026 Deutsche Welle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.