Studies show that the risk of lung cancer may decrease after age 75

According to the National Cancer Institute in the United States, one of the risk factors for developing cancer is age, in addition to external factors such as lifestyle and genetic factors. However, new studies indicate that the risk of developing cancer – more specifically lung cancer – can decrease after the age of 75. The two studies will still undergo another review, but were published as a preprint.

Two studies show reduced risk of lung cancer

One of the studies – from Stanford University – analyzed mice with the mutation that causes cancer. With the help of a genetic switch, the researchers were able to control the mutation, activating the genes in young and old mice. As a result, they discovered that the incidence of tumors was higher in younger mice.

Another study, led by Xueqian Zhuang of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shows that with age, the production of a protein called NUPR1 increases in the body. This protein affects iron metabolism and, as a result, cells begin to act as if they were iron deficient. This restricts the ability of these cells to grow quickly, reducing the risk of developing tumors. In the same study, the NUPR1 protein was inactivated in older mice, which increased their risk of developing lung cancer, due to the increased levels of iron in the mice's lungs.

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_{Studies were done on mice and still need to undergo peer review (Photo: reproduction/Bloomberg/Getty Images Embed)}

Even with the research, it is important to warn about the risk of smoking, which is one of the factors that can lead to the risk of cancer. Smoking is attributed to 30% of cancer cases. When it comes to lung cancer, 70% of cases are linked to smoking.

New forms of treatments

In conversation with CNN Brasil, clinical oncologist Vladmir Cláudio Cordeiro de Lima, pointed out the use of specific therapies for elderly patients. “If the results of the first study are confirmed and subsequently replicated in humans, they would indicate that lung tumors in elderly patients have distinct molecular profiles from tumors in younger patients and this could lead to the selection of distinct and targeted therapies for such alterations”said Vladimir.

The oncologist also comments on the second study, saying that, if confirmed and replicated, the reduction in iron absorption or use could become a new form of treatment or risk reduction for lung cancer. However, Vladmir emphasizes that the studies have not yet been published or peer-reviewed – a process to ensure the quality of the work – and that another review and validation may still be carried out, mainly because the study was not conducted on humans.

Featured photo: Lung cancer risk may decrease in older people (Reproduction/ Kawee Srital-on/Getty Images Embed)