Grey hair is often seen as a natural sign of ageing, a visible marker of the passing years and the changes our bodies undergo over time. However, recent research suggests that those silver strands may indicate more than just age—they could reflect the body’s own protective mechanisms against cancer.
A study in mice has revealed how our bodies respond to cellular damage, a process linked both to ageing and cancer development. Cells called melanocyte stem cells, located deep in hair follicles, normally generate pigment-producing cells through cycles of growth and rest, maintaining hair color throughout life. Daily DNA damage—from UV light, chemicals, or metabolism—can threaten these cells. To prevent potential malignancy, damaged melanocyte stem cells may undergo “seno-differentiation,” maturing into pigment cells that then exit the stem cell pool.
This controlled removal helps prevent accumulation of mutations that could trigger cancer, producing grey hair as a byproduct. However, under certain harmful conditions, these cells may persist, creating opportunities for melanoma, highlighting a complex balance between ageing and cancer prevention.
Source: Independent, UK
