Human Aging
Its Role in Tumor Development

Human aging is a universal phenomenon and process you can't avoid. It is one of the reasons why a human being develops tumors. What causes aging? The build-up of physical and psychological changes in you over time leads to it. It happens in stages. Its definition simply means growing old.

These physical changes occur in the cells inside your human body and are manifested outside. The accumulation of these changes takes many years. Some of the noticeable physical signs of aging are:

• the graying of your hair

• a diminished hearing or seeing ability

• the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone on your face and hands.

There are also stages of aging inside your body that are not seen by your eyes. But they make you aware that there is aging indeed, by the symptoms and signs you can feel.

How does aging lead to tumor development?

Not every human who grows old gets tumor. However, as you age, your risk for the disease increases.

Here's why...

Human aging involves two things:

• Decline in the cellular level
• Inflammation

According to most scientists, aging is caused by the interplay of many factors such as a somatic mutation in your genes and cellular retirement.

Surprisingly, your cells also retire and this time, no new cells will replace them.

Tumor develops in and attacks your cells. And because you are only human, you grow older and the following changes which are not visible happen:

• your ability to respond to stress decreases

• your immune system weakens, and

• your cells become unhealthy and sick.

What ages your cells?

It is the damage you may have subjected your human body to over the years. Cellular damage may be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle which includes unhealthy eating habits, being obese (Yes,cancer and obesity have a connection!) and lack of physical activity.

The effects of these poor lifestyle habits add up as you grow old. Unhealthy habits such as smoking also age your cells faster. And since you got a human body, your risk for getting such a life-threatening disease also increases.

And the older you are, the more susceptible you become to cancer. In fact, it is more common and more frequent among people who are 65 and above.

But there are also people who have reached the age of 85 without developing cancer. There are even people who live 100 years or more cancer-free!

What prevents tumor among old people?

Studies done on centenarians have shown the following factors contributed to their long life:

• a positive and inquisitive outlook which is really one of the stress relief tips

• healthy eating habits

• moderate physical activity as they recognize the importance of exercise in their lives

• close ties to their family and friends

• genetic factors.

Considering the universality of the process of human aging, some questions on how it occurs in the cellular level remain unanswered.