MARRIAGE LINKED TO LOWER RISK OF CANCER, NEW STUDY FINDS. WHY?

In sickness and in health? A new study found tying the knot may be linked to a lower risk of cancer.

In the study, published April 8 in Cancer Research Communications, researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center found adults who are or have ever been married consistently had lower cancer risk compared to those never married.

The study used eight years of health data from millions of adults ages 30 and older in 12 states.

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Although the impact of marriage on other aspects of cancer − such as earlier diagnosis and postdiagnosis outcomes − have previously been studied, few studies have examined cancer incidence by marital status like this one.

Across all types of cancer and in both males and females, never-married adults had significantly higher rates than ever-married individuals, according to the study. "Ever-married" was defined as married, separated, divorced or widowed.

More specifically, never-married men had 68% higher cancer incidence, and never-married women had 83% higher incidence compared with their ever-married counterparts. 

When broken down by race, never-married Black men showed the highest cancer rates of all groups, whereas among married men, Black men had significantly lower rates than married White men.

So why might marriage play a role in someone's cancer risk? The authors pointed to differing social and behavioral patterns among ever-married and never-married people.

"Marriage reflects enduring social, economic, and institutional ties that may influence cancer risk through multiple mechanisms," the authors wrote, adding one potential protective effect of marriage includes healthier behaviors such as reduced tobacco and alcohol use.

And in their findings, tobacco-related cancers, including lung and esophageal cancers, were more common among the never-married.

Childbearing is another potential factor.

"Among women, the higher incidence of endometrial and ovarian cancers among the never-married supports reproductive mechanisms," the authors found. This is because women who have never given birth are at a higher risk of certain cancers like these.

The study did have limitations, however, including the lack of data on same-sex partnerships and sexual orientation.

"Despite the limitations, this study offers a timely and robust contribution to understanding cancer disparities," the authors said, adding the findings highlight how marital status is a "prominent and consistent social stratifier of cancer incidence" in the United States, especially in the context of declining marriage rates and increased interest in going child-free.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marriage linked to lower risk of cancer, new study finds. Why?

2026-04-09T15:28:37Z