Recent research shows that age-related macular degeneration, a condition affecting the retina, is more frequently associated with an increased risk of cancer. At first glance, this seems surprising because these diseases occur in very different parts of the body. Yet they share underlying damage mechanisms caused by ageing, such as problems with the energy supply in cells and the accumulation of damaged cells.
Ageing leads to various diseases because the same biological processes cause damage in the body. In macular degeneration, the growth of new, unwanted blood vessels in the eye plays a particularly significant role. At the same time, these harmful processes can also promote the development of tumours. As a result, we more frequently see that people with this eye condition also have an increased risk of cancer.
The main cause of this correlation lies in the cellular changes that ageing brings about. For instance, mitochondria can function less effectively, leaving cells with less energy. Furthermore, damaged or ‘senescent’ cells accumulate, which can cause inflammation and tissue damage. These factors are a major cause of many age-related ailments and diseases.
These insights emphasise that combatting the underlying ageing processes is a promising approach to prevent or treat multiple age-related diseases simultaneously. This involves innovative therapies aimed at reducing cellular damage and improving cellular health.
For everyone who wants to age healthily and fitly, it is therefore important to pay attention to these physical processes. By better understanding how age-related diseases are connected, we can work more effectively towards a long and vital life.
Source: Reason
