Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have made a significant discovery regarding early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), a condition on the rise among individuals under the age of 50. The study reveals that a person's biological age, evaluated through a blood test assessing changes in DNA, is linked to a higher incidence of precancerous colon polyps. Notably, for each additional year a person’s body ages faster than normal, the risk of developing these polyps increases by 16%. This finding could potentially shift how medical professionals approach cancer screening and prevention among younger populations.
The median age for EOCRC diagnosis currently stands at 44, and there is an alarming increase in young patients being diagnosed with colon cancer. Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, remarked on the rising prevalence, stating:
“There is a massive increase in young patients being diagnosed with colon cancer.” – Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS
Biological aging differs from chronological age, which simply counts the years since birth. Instead, it considers various DNA changes that may more accurately reflect a person's health and aging process. Shria Kumar, MD, MSCE, highlighted the significance of this measure:
“Biological aging, which is a measure of your body’s age based on changes in DNA, is different than chronological age… Its role in cancer prevention is less clear, but here, we find promising associations in its risk with precancerous polyps in persons under age 50.” – Shria Kumar, MD, MSCE
The current guideline recommends beginning regular screenings at age 45. However, the median age for EOCRC diagnosis suggests that many cases could occur before individuals are eligible for routine screening. Dr. Kumar emphasized the need for earlier interventions:
“Those people can then undergo colonoscopy, even if they are not yet 45 (the present age of screening initiation). While you may say well, you start at age 45 anyways, the median age of EOCRC diagnosis is 44 — so clearly, we have a lot to do as people will be diagnosed with cancer before being eligible for screening!” – Shria Kumar
Despite the potential benefits of incorporating biological age into screening processes, challenges remain. Dr. Kumar noted that while the findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand EOCRC risk:
“While ideal, we don’t presently understand enough about EOCRC risk to create such an approach. If [these findings are] validated on a larger scale, incorporating biological age into a risk calculator can help us identify which persons under age 50 are at highest risk of EOCRC.” – Shria Kumar
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