Problem:
When the telomerase enzyme is not active the telomere shortens every time the cell duplicates leading to a reproductive limit (Hayflicks limit). On one hand this is a believed reason for aging. On the other hand this makes a mutated cell more difficult to acquire cancer, since in order to become cancerous, it would need to mutate such that the telomere enzyme becomes active.
The telomere enzyme is not active in most human cells. Therefore activating the telomerase enzyme in somatic (body) cells could theoretically decrease aging but would also increase the risk of cancer.
Required:
Question: Am I right to assume that in order to avoid aging of humans one would first need to "solve cancer"?
Justify and Give reasoning with your answer.