Longevity & AgingAccelerated Biological Aging Links Unhealthy Lifestyles to Colorectal Cancer Risk
Researchers analyzed 322,640 UK Biobank participants to examine how biological aging connects unhealthy lifestyles to colorectal cancer (CRC). Accelerated aging measures—particularly PhenoAge acceleration and homeostatic dysregulation score—were associated with increased CRC risk, especially early-onset CRC. Biological aging mediated up to 27% of the harmful effect of unhealthy lifestyles on CRC. Using Mendelian randomization, epigenetic aging clock GrimAge was genetically linked to higher CRC risk. A three-step MR analysis identified 15 aging-related CpG sites and four key genes (TNF, BICC1, NCF2, DIP2B) whose altered methylation and expression help explain how aging drives CRC development. Healthy lifestyle adherence may delay biological aging and reduce CRC risk.
