New research suggests adults who have never been married face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer compared to those who are or have been married.
A University of Miami study found incidence rates of cancer were 68 percent higher in never-married men and 85 percent higher in never-married women.
Researchers emphasize that marriage itself does not prevent cancer, but that marital status is linked to several cancer risk factors, including smoking and stress. Healthier individuals may also be more inclined to marry.
The findings highlight the importance of cancer risk awareness and prevention strategies, particularly for unmarried individuals, urging them to pay closer attention to risk factors and health screenings.
Analysis of over 4 million cancer cases across 12 US states from 2015 to 2022 for individuals aged 30 and older revealed notable differences. For men, anal cancer rates were five times higher in never-married individuals. Women saw nearly three times the rate of cervical cancer if they had never been married, compared to married counterparts.
These HPV-linked cancers showed the most significant disparities. Cancers with established screening protocols, like breast or prostate cancer, exhibited smaller differences.
Social factors such as marital status may serve as critical markers for cancer risk at a population level.