A person's marital status may influence their risk of developing cancer, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Published in Cancer Research Communications, the research analysed over four million cancer cases across 12 states between 2015 and 2022, covering a population of more than 100 million people aged 30 and older.
The study compared cancer rates between those who had ever been married (including divorced and widowed individuals) and those who had never married. It found that never-married adults faced significantly higher cancer rates across nearly all major cancer types. Men who had never married were about 70 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than married men, while never-married women faced an 85 per cent higher risk.
The elevated risk was particularly pronounced for cancers linked to preventable factors such as smoking, alcohol use, infections and reproductive health. For example, never-married men had roughly five times the rate of anal cancer, and never-married women nearly triple the rate of cervical cancer—both strongly associated with HPV infection and influenced by screening.
Racial differences also emerged. Never-married Black men had the highest overall cancer rates of any group, whereas married Black men had lower rates than married white men, suggesting marriage may offer particularly strong health benefits for Black men. The association between marital status and cancer risk was stronger in adults over 50, indicating that long-term lifestyle and healthcare differences may compound over time.
Researchers noted that married people are more likely to attend regular check-ups, receive earlier diagnoses and adhere to treatment plans, often due to greater financial stability and social support. However, lead author Dr Frank Penedo stressed that marriage itself does not prevent cancer. 'It means that if you're not married, you should be paying extra attention to cancer risk factors, getting any screenings you may need and staying up to date on healthcare,' he said. The study highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies that consider marital status.
