Never Married Individuals Face Higher Cancer Risk, Study Finds

A new study from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has found that adults who have never been married face a significantly higher risk of developing several types of cancer compared to those who are or were married.

The analysis, published in Cancer Research Communications, examined more than 4 million cancer cases across 12 states. The findings indicate that marital status may serve as an important marker for cancer risk at a population level, with unmarried adults—and men in particular—showing higher rates of certain cancers.

The Role of Social Factors in Cancer Risk

Researchers suggest that the correlation between marital status and cancer incidence underscores the significant role that social factors play in overall health outcomes. According to Paulo Pinheiro, Ph.D., a professor of cancer epidemiology at the Miller School Department of Public Health Sciences and co-author of the study, marriage has largely been ignored as a protective factor in cancer risk research until now.

The data indicates that people who are currently married or were married in the past have lower overall risks of developing cancer than those who have never married.

Clinical Implications and Prevention

While the study identifies a statistical link, researchers emphasize that these findings are not a prescription for marriage. The observation does not imply that getting married prevents cancer or that individuals need to marry to reduce their risk.

Instead, the research serves as a guide for targeted prevention, and awareness. Frank Penedo, Ph.D., associate director for population sciences and director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute (SSCI), suggests that those who are not married should be more vigilant regarding their health.

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 health care

Frank Penedo, Ph.D.

Dr. Penedo further noted that the findings highlight the importance of tailoring cancer risk awareness and prevention strategies to account for marital status when designing public health efforts.

Context and Previous Research

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center study provides a contemporary, large-scale look at these trends. Other historical data has touched upon similar themes; for example, one study from Michigan conducted between 1978 and 1982 found a higher incidence of cancer among never-married Black adults.

The current research is particularly relevant as the prevalence of marriage continues to decrease in the United States, potentially altering the population-level distribution of these social risk markers.

By identifying marital status as a potential risk marker, health providers and public health officials can better identify high-risk populations and encourage the necessary screenings and lifestyle interventions to mitigate cancer risk.