Dr James DeGregori speaks to ecancer about his study investigating ageing and cancer.

This study reveals that ageing alters lung tissue, leading to increased inflammation and a weaker immune response, which accelerates cancer cell growth in older mice.

It highlights the role of microenvironmental changes in promoting tumour growth and suggests that reversing these changes could lower cancer risk.

Cigarette smoking and air pollution are identified as significant factors that exacerbate these inflammatory environments, while maintaining youthful tissue states may help suppress tumour development.