A large study from South Korea adds new evidence that accelerated biological aging is a meaningful risk factor for colorectal cancer in younger adults. The research, reported in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that people with markers of faster biological aging had a 93% increased risk of early-onset colorectal adenocarcinoma. When the analysis focused on colon adenocarcinoma specifically, the risk was 132% higher.
Biological aging refers to the cumulative damage to cells and tissues that may outpace chronological age. The study's size and population-based design strengthen the association, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The authors suggest that measuring biological age could eventually help clinicians identify younger patients who might benefit from earlier or more intensive screening.
As with any observational study, causation cannot be inferred, and the findings need replication in other populations. Still, they highlight a growing concern: early-onset colorectal cancer has been rising in many countries, and understanding risk factors beyond family history and lifestyle is a priority for gastroenterology research.