People who live past 100 share a 'hidden secret weapon' against cancer

Those who are lucky enough to live past 100 share a 'secret weapon' preventing them from getting cancer, scientists claim.

A new study shared online by Neal K. Shah, a caregiving researcher and CEO of home care service CareYaya, revealed that scientists made a surprising discovery while researching the blood of people who lived past age 100.

"A rare kind of immune cell that hunts and kills cancer," Shah said, before going on to delve into the findings further. "Most of your immune 'helper' cells coordinate your defences, but there's a rare type of cells that roam your body, find cells that have turned cancerous or damaged and destroy them before they spread."

Rare cells were discovered in the blood of those living past 100 (Getty Stock)

While these cells are rarely found in most people, they were 'everywhere' in the blood of over 100s.

Shah explained: "In people in their 70s to 90s, these cancer-killing cells were about 4 percent of a key immune group. In those people who reached 100, almost 10 percent.

"And in the rare few who reached past 110, nearly 18 percent."

These led to the realisation that the older these people got, the bigger their collection of these rare cells grew.

The study found that the human body may continue to adapt and build the defences it needs most, regardless of age.

However, Shah explained that it is important to note that the study was conducting with only 28 people and that there is not much yet known about how these cells can be grown or developed.

There are a handful of things that people can do to enhance their immune system and help them to age well.

Shah said that regular activity is key as it 'keeps your immune system strong' and it is also important to 'protect your sleep', as this is when your body repairs and your cells recharge.

He also advised not to smoke, adding: "Keep up with cancer screenings. Catching things early can still be your most powerful weapon. Your body is more remarkable than you know at every single age."

There are a series of things you can do to help your body to age well (Getty Stock)

Living up to or past age 100 is rare but is beginning to become more common, with the number of people doing so having doubled over the past two decades.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were an estimated 16,600 centenarians living in the UK in 2024.

Thanks to developments in health care and living, plenty more people are expected to see their 100th birthday.