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Colorectal cancer risk depends on “biological” rather than “calendar” age
Unlike actual (chronological) age, which is simply the number of years lived, biological age shows how well (or poorly) your body is functioning. It is influenced by factors such as genes, lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep) and environment (such as stress or pollution).
In a new study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, scientists used advanced DNA analysis to determine biological age.
The researchers found that when biological age exceeds chronological age, aging is further accelerated. For example, a person whose passport says they are 50 years old but whose biological age is 65 may notice that their body is functioning much worse than it should.
Biological and chronological age
Biological aging, which is a measure of your body’s age based on changes in DNA, is different from chronological age (simply the number of years since birth). It is thought to more accurately reflect our body’s “true age” and is a marker of time to death. According to research, it affects the risk of developing certain cancers. In this study, researchers found a relationship between biological age and precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer in people younger than 50 years of age.
Colorectal cancer is “getting younger”
The incidence of colorectal cancer among those under 50 years of age, referred to as early colorectal cancer (ECC), has been steadily increasing. According to the American Cancer Society, the rates have increased by 2% annually since 2011.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently lowered the recommended age to begin colon cancer screening from 50 to 45. That change may not fully address the problem, however, since nearly half of early-stage colorectal cancers occur in people younger than 45, according to the National Cancer Institute.
But, scientists say, if biological age is considered in the risk calculator, it could help determine which people younger than 50 should have a colonoscopy, even if that person is under 45 (the current new age for starting screening).
Today, colorectal cancer screening includes home stool testing, which is more convenient for patients. However, despite the availability of such alternatives, colonoscopy remains the most effective method. This outpatient procedure, performed under sedation, allows doctors to identify and remove polyps – soft tissue growths that can develop into cancer.
Because polyps occur in about 20-30% of adults, removing them during a colonoscopy is a vital step in preventing colorectal cancer.
The researchers noted that colonoscopy is unique in that it provides both early detection and cancer prevention in a single procedure.
What is the relationship between biological age and polyps?
Risk factors for early development of colorectal cancer, such as obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and certain lifestyle habits, have also been linked to accelerated biological aging.
To study this link, researchers examined people younger than 50 who had undergone colonoscopies. Using advanced DNA tests on blood samples, they determined each person’s biological age and compared it to the colonoscopy results.
They found that for each additional year that the person’s body aged faster than normal, the risk of developing colon polyps increased by 16%.
Surprisingly, common risk factors such as body weight and smoking were not strongly associated with the development of polyps. Instead, gender had the greatest impact: men were more likely to develop precancerous polyps.
Researchers are continuing to investigate biological age as an important predictor of health status.
Improving the efficiency of colonoscopy
A study suggests that colorectal cancer screening may be more effective by focusing on those whose bodies are aging faster than normal.
By prioritizing colonoscopies for people at high risk, doctors could detect and prevent cancer earlier.
The findings may suggest that biological age provides important health information that could change the way cancer is prevented in the future.
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