Married People Have Lower Risk Of Cancer, New Study Reveals

A new study has suggested that people who are married may have a lower risk of developing cancer compared to those who have never been married.

The study, published in Cancer Research Communications, analyzed eight years of health data from millions of adults aged 30 and above across 12 U.S. states.

Findings showed that men who have never been married recorded cancer rates 68 per cent higher than those who are married, including widowed or divorced individuals. For women, those who have never been married had cancer rates 83 per cent higher.

“When it comes to getting cancer, putting a ring on it may offer more protection to women,” Dr. Brad Wilcox, a professor at the University of Virginia who studies marriage, told CNN.

The study also found that tobacco-related cancers such as lung and esophageal cancers were more prevalent among unmarried individuals. Among women, higher cases of endometrial and ovarian cancers were recorded in those who had never married.

According to the researchers, several factors may explain the association between marital status and lower cancer risk.

“Marriage reflects enduring social, economic, and institutional ties that may influence cancer risk through multiple mechanisms,” the study authors wrote.

They further noted that married people are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles, including reduced tobacco and alcohol use, while unmarried individuals are less likely to undergo regular preventive care and cancer screenings.