Marriage status linked to cancer risk, large study finds

A University of Miami analysis of more than four million Americans found adults who never married had higher cancer rates; never-married men were about 70% more likely and never-married women about 85% more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis.

A University of Miami study reports that adults who never married were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those who were married. Researchers looked at data from more than four million Americans across 12 states, and the pattern appeared across many major cancer types. The difference was particularly notable for cancers linked to smoking and infection. The finding supplements prior research that linked marriage with better survival after a cancer diagnosis. Key findings: - The study examined over four million cancer cases from 12 states, focusing on diagnoses at age 30 or older between 2015 and 2022. - Never-married men had about a 70% higher likelihood of cancer than married men, and never-married women had about an 85% higher likelihood than married women. - Never-married men had approximately five times the rate of anal cancer compared to married men. - Never-married women had nearly three times the rate of cervical cancer compared to women who were or had been married. - Researchers noted that the association may reflect related social and behavioral factors—such as differences in smoking, alcohol use, healthcare engagement, or other lifestyle factors—rather than marriage itself. - The study was published in the journal Cancer Research Communications. Summary: The study identifies an association between marital status and cancer incidence at the population level, described by the authors as a clear signal that some individuals face greater risk. The researchers emphasized that the findings do not prove marriage itself prevents cancer and said more research is needed to confirm the results and clarify the contributing social and behavioral factors.