More than half of cancer cases reported in the UK occur in individuals over the age of 70, while in the US the average age at which cancer is diagnosed is 66. This suggests that aging is one of the primary factors responsible for cancer development. An important scientific hypothesis is that as people grow older their once healthy cells gradually begin to malfunction.
Over time, the body’s natural mechanisms for repairing and regulating cell growth become less efficient, allowing genetic mutations to accumulate. Ongoing research is shedding more light on specific mechanisms that lead to the onset of cancer in old age and developing targeted therapies to reduce these risks.
In this gallery, we look at the relationship between aging and cancer. Click on to learn more.