A recent TikTok trend has sparked a debate on the ageing process of Generation Z, with users claiming that they are “ageing like milk” compared to Millennials. The discussion intensified when popular influencer Jordan Howlett confessed to being mistaken for his mother’s older brother at the young age of 26.
These concerns are not unfounded, as research presented at an international cancer conference revealed evidence of ‘accelerated ageing’ in young people with certain types of cancer. US researchers have even suggested that the risk of accelerated ageing and developing cancer increases with each successive generation born after 1965.
Experts warn that Gen Z may be at a greater risk of developing potentially deadly diseases at a younger age. Factors such as obesity, processed diets, environmental factors, and mental health conditions may all contribute to earlier aging and increased disease risk in younger generations.
Rates of cancer among under-50s have been steadily increasing, with a more significant shift towards early-onset tumors. To combat this trend, experts recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise to slow down the ageing process.
Exciting advancements are also being made in the field of anti-ageing research, with the development of drugs called senolytics that may be able to decelerate the ageing process in the future. These findings highlight the importance of addressing lifestyle factors that may accelerate ageing and increase disease risk in younger generations.
