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Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS

BIPS Institute seminar: Early life stages and cancer risks in later life

Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research News

At the BIPS Institute seminar on June 25, 2025, Edward Giovannucci discussed how influences in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood can shape cancer risk in middle to late life. The focus was on the growing evidence that early stages of life are sensitive time windows for later cancer susceptibility.

[Translate to Englisch:] Grafik zum BIPS-Institutsseminar mit dem Titel „Frühe Lebensphasen und Krebsrisiken im späteren Leben“. Links ein blauer Hintergrund mit dem BIPS-Leibniz-Logo und dem Seminartitel in weißer Schrift, rechts ein vergrößerter Buchausschnitt, in dem das Wort „Cancer“ pink markiert ist.

[Translate to Englisch:]

The presentation classified cancer development as a multi-stage process that can span many years or even decades. Against this backdrop, it was explained that risk factors or protective influences can be effective long before a cancer diagnosis. For certain organs, susceptibility to cancer-causing processes may be increased, especially during childhood or adolescence.

Current findings were summarized that suggest that exposure in early life can influence cancer risk in adulthood. These findings underscore the importance of early life stages for understanding long-term disease development and for preventive approaches.

Edward Giovannucci is Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.