--- title: "Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause…" description: "Longer telomeres are linked to a higher risk of cancer but a lower risk of non-cancer related death in Chinese adults." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html" type: "study" study_key: "x9" journal: "Int J Cancer" year: 2020 pmid: "33459354" doi: "10.1002/ijc.33211" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x9 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Int J Cancer | | Year | 2020 | | PMID | [33459354](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33459354/) | | DOI | [10.1002/ijc.33211](https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33211) | | Study key | x9 | ## Takeaway Longer telomeres are linked to a higher risk of cancer but a lower risk of non-cancer related death in Chinese adults. ## The question What is the association between leukocyte telomere length and the risk of cancer incidence and all-cause mortality in a large prospective cohort of Chinese adults? ## Hypothesis The study aims to investigate the association of leukocyte telomere length with risk of cancer incidence and all-cause mortality. ## Methods Relative telomere lengths were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR in genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples of 26,540 middle-aged or older Chinese adults. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer and deaths by quintiles of telomere length were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for age, sex, and other potential confounders. ## Results After baseline, 4,353 persons developed cancer and 7,609 died. Participants with the longest decile of telomeres had a 26% higher risk of total cancer incidence compared to the shortest decile. Longer telomeres were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.93), noncancer death (HR = 0.81), and specifically, death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia (HR = 0.79) and digestive diseases (HR = 0.60). ## Conclusion Longer telomeres are associated with an increased risk of overall cancer development and several specific cancer types, but also with a reduced risk of noncancer-related death. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > longer telomeres are associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality ## Association of Telomere Length with Cancer Incidence and Mortality | Measure | Risk/Hazard Ratio | | --- | --- | | Total Cancer Incidence (Longest vs. Shortest Decile) | 26 | | All-Cause Mortality (Longer Telomeres) | 0.93 | | Noncancer Death (Longer Telomeres) | 0.81 | | Death from COPD and Pneumonia (Longer Telomeres) | 0.79 | | Death from Digestive Diseases (Longer Telomeres) | 0.6 | *The chart shows the percentage increase in total cancer incidence for the longest telomere decile compared to the shortest, and hazard ratios for different mortality outcomes associated with longer telomeres.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Telomere Support | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults** Int J Cancer 2020 · [PMID 33459354](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33459354/) · [DOI 10.1002/ijc.33211](https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33211) > longer telomeres are associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html","name":"Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults","description":"Longer telomeres are linked to a higher risk of cancer but a lower risk of non-cancer related death in Chinese adults.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x9.html#study","name":"Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults","headline":"Leukocyte telomere length, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults","datePublished":"2020","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Int J Cancer"},"identifier":"PMID:33459354","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33459354/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33211","abstract":"Longer telomeres are linked to a higher risk of cancer but a lower risk of non-cancer related death in Chinese adults."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Telomere Length and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-analysis](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/telomere_mortality.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).