加速老化可能導致年輕人癌症發病率上升
Accelerated Aging May Cause Higher Cancer Rates in Young Adults
Updated at: September 15, 2026 at 03:00 AM
一項最近刊登於《自然醫學》(Nature Medicine)期刊的研究指出，年輕族群癌症罹患率上升，可能與加速的生物學老化有關。
A recent study published in Nature Medicine suggests that rising cancer rates in young adults may be linked to accelerated biological aging.
雖然年代年齡僅計算出生至今的年份，但生物年齡則是測量細胞與器官功能的運作情形，並受發炎及代謝等因素影響。
While chronological age counts the years since birth, biological age measures how our cells and organs function, influenced by factors like inflammation and metabolism.
研究人員發現，較年輕的世代，特別是1990年代出生的人，其老化速度比1960年代出生的人更快。
Researchers discovered that younger generations, particularly those born in the 1990s, are showing signs of aging faster than those born in the 1960s.
這種「老化差距」意味著生物年齡超過實際年齡的人，在55歲前罹患早發性癌症的風險較高。
This 'aging gap' means individuals whose biological age surpasses their actual age face a greater risk of developing early-onset cancer before the age of 55.
特定的器官系統亦扮演重要角色；例如，免疫系統加速老化與肺癌相關，而脂肪組織加速老化則與胃腸道癌症有關。
Specific organ systems play a role; for instance, accelerated immune system aging is tied to lung cancer, while faster fat tissue aging correlates with gastrointestinal cancers.
生活方式、飲食與環境因素皆會影響我們老化的速度。
Lifestyle choices, diet, and environmental factors influence how quickly we age.
科學家希望這項研究能有助於為高風險的年輕族群制定更好的篩檢與預防策略。
Scientists hope this research will lead to better screening and prevention strategies for high-risk younger individuals.
雖然這些發現展現的是強烈的相關性而非直接的因果關係，但它們為探討何以全球許多人越發年輕就罹患癌症，提供了極為重要的全新視角。
While these findings show a strong correlation rather than direct causation, they provide a vital new perspective on why cancer is appearing earlier in the lives of many people worldwide.
