Researchers from the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami analyzed data from more than 100 million people in the United States between 2015 and 2022. Among them, over 4 million individuals had been diagnosed with various types of cancer.
According to findings published in Cancer Research Communications, cancer incidence was higher among people who had never married compared to those who had ever been married (including divorced and widowed individuals). On average, men who had never married had a 70% higher risk of developing cancer, while for women the risk was 85% higher. The correlation was more pronounced in older age groups than in younger populations.
The researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to better understand the factors behind these differences, reports DW. For instance, the lower risk of breast and uterine cancers among married women may be linked to pregnancy and breastfeeding. Meanwhile, cancers of the anus and reproductive organs can be associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted—meaning differences in sexual behavior may influence infection risk.
The study also suggests that marriage may affect modifiable cancer risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. At the same time, it is possible that individuals with healthier lifestyles are more likely to get married.
Additionally, the researchers note that the available data do not indicate whether married individuals were happy in their relationships, which could also influence cancer outcomes. Moreover, people in long-term, stable partnerships without formal marriage may still be classified as single in official records, potentially affecting the results.
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