The true age of a person can be determined by measuring DNA methylation levels, a phenomenon known as age acceleration when there is a discrepancy between the predicted age and the actual age. This can be used as a marker of human aging and has been found to be possibly associated with cancer risk.

Methylation-Based Biological Age and Cancer Risk

Changes in DNA methylation levels with age, and it has been widely studied as a well-known biomarker of aging. A number of DNA methylation age clocks have appeared and been used, and when the age predicted by the methylation clock is greater than the actual age, it is considered to have "age acceleration", which is also called the biological measure of aging.

Research suggests a correlation between aging and cancer as well. Predicted ages obtained by DNA methylation analysis are greater than actual ages, indicating age acceleration, and these phenomena may also be strongly associated with cancer risk. By analyzing the age acceleration of DNA methylation to discover their association with increased cancer risk or shorter survival, it could help to understand specific relationship between the aging process and cancer development, developing DNA methylation as a tool for predicting cancer risk.