How gray hair can actually protect you from cancer – Firstpost

While most people try to do everything they can to hide or change their gray hair, a new study shows that those silvery strands are actually good for your body.

Researchers have discovered that the graying of hair may be part of the body’s natural defense mechanism against cancer.

A study published in Nature of Cell Biologyinvestigated how stem cells in hair follicles respond to damage to their DNA and found an unexpected link between gray hair and melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

Here’s what the researchers found.

But first, what causes gray hair?

Over the years, our cells are constantly exposed to both internal and external stresses, from UV radiation to oxidative stress, all of which can damage DNA.

At the heart of this process are melanocyte stem cells (McSCs), the tiny pigment-producing cells responsible for hair and skin color. These cells are located in a specialized area near the base of the hair follicle known as the “bulge-sub-bulge” and continuously regenerate to keep our hair colored during repeated growth cycles.

When these melanocytes begin to shrink or lose function, the hair gradually loses its pigment, resulting in graying.

However, scientists have been intrigued by why some of these stem cells simply die harmlessly, while others stick around long enough to become potentially dangerous.

To find out, Professor Emi Nishimura and Associate Professor Yasuaki Mohri of the University of Tokyo studied how these cells respond to DNA damage and the chemical signals they receive from surrounding cells, collectively known as their “niche”.

What did the research show?

The researchers of the latest study turned to mice to observe how melanocyte stem cells (McSC) respond to different types of DNA damage.

They discovered something fascinating: when these pigment-producing cells are stressed, they go one of two ways: either they mature and leave the system, causing hair to turn gray, or they continue to divide, which can increase the risk of tumor growth.

Simply put, when your hair starts to lose its color, it could be your body’s way of preventing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.

“This redefines hair graying and melanoma not as unrelated events, but as distinct outcomes of stem cell stress responses,” co-author Nishimura said in a statement.

Nishimura’s team described the process as a kind of biological compromise between aging and cancer.

Read also:
Hair Color and Carcinogens: Here’s What You Need to Know About Cancer Risks Linked to Permanent Dyes

Does gray hair prevent cancer?

The researchers were clear: This does not mean that gray hair prevents cancer. Rather, the stress-induced process that leads to graying may act as a natural defense, helping to eliminate harmful cells before they become dangerous.

Still, Nishimura and her team noted that more research is needed to fully understand the link between gray hair and melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer because it can quickly spread to other parts of the body if not caught early. Unlike other skin cancers, melanoma cells can travel quickly through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to infect other organs and tissues.

The risk of developing melanoma increases with age, with the average age of diagnosis in the US being 66. However, it is also one of the most common cancers in people under the age of 30, especially in young women.

Other risk factors include being male, having multiple moles, a family or personal history of melanoma, and severe childhood sunburn. People who spend long hours outdoors are also more vulnerable due to greater exposure to the sun.

With the participation of agencies