Today’s open access review paper delves into the relationship between aging and cancer, questioning whether cancer should be viewed as a separate process from aging. While cancer incidence rises with age, it actually declines in very old individuals, suggesting a complex interplay of cellular changes. The majority of cancer risk stems from immune system deterioration and mutational damage accumulation. As cell activity diminishes in old age, the chances of mutational damage decrease. This highlights the intricate connection between aging and cancer, with common underlying causes influencing both processes.
Aging is a significant risk factor for cancer, with prevalence peaking in older adults before declining. The review explores the idea that aging and cancer may share common biological mechanisms, supported by lifestyle factors that impact both processes. While childhood cancers and accelerated aging syndromes challenge this notion, there is evidence of shared characteristics between aging and cancer at a molecular and cellular level. The reduction in cancer incidence in individuals over 90 years old hints at antagonistic hallmarks of aging that counteract carcinogenesis. Ultimately, understanding the connection between aging and cancer is crucial for making informed therapeutic decisions.
