Can getting older actually protect against cancer? Stanford study says maybe

Technology Nov 18, 2025

A new Stanford study found that super-old mice grew fewer and smaller tumors than younger ones, even though both had the same cancer-causing mutations.
This flips the usual idea that cancer risk just keeps rising as we age.

Tumors slowed down in older mice (and maybe people too)

Scientists gave lung tumors to young and old mice, and the older group (think 70-80 years in human terms) ended up with way less tumor growth.
Human data backs this up—cancer rates peak around age 70-80, then actually level off or drop after 85.

Why does this matter?

Turns out, aging changes how cancer behaves at a molecular level.
The researchers say we need more age-inclusive studies to make sure treatments work for everyone—especially older adults who are often left out of research.