Marital Status Linked to Cancer Risk

A study conducted by the Miller School of Medicine's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and published in Cancer Research Communications found that adults who have never married face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer compared to those who are or have been married. The research, co-authored by Paulo Pinheiro and Frank Penedo, analyzed over 4 million cancer cases across 12 states in the United States between 2015 and 2022. The elevated risk was observed across nearly all major cancer types, with a pronounced effect on preventable cancers linked to infections, smoking, alcohol use, and reproductive health. Never-married men were about 70% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and never-married women faced an 85% higher risk. The study emphasizes that marriage itself does not prevent cancer, but rather the associated social support, financial stability, and access to healthcare contribute to better health outcomes. Researchers suggest that public health efforts should target cancer risk awareness and prevention strategies with attention to marital status.