Married people have a significantly lower risk of cancer. The cancer risk for unmarried people was 68% higher in men and 85% higher in women, a recent study says.
Adults who have never married have a noticeably higher risk of developing cancer compared to those who have gotten hitched, researchers at the University of Miami reported on April 8, 2026. The report was published in the journal Cancer Research Communications.
According to the study conducted by highly skilled experts at the University of Miami, social factors such as marital status serve as key markers of cancer risk at the population level. However, they were quick to note that people should not get married to avoid cancer or feel any pressure to tie the knot at all. Marriage does not magically prevent cancer.
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For prevention efforts, the findings highlight the importance of targeting cancer risk awareness and prevention approaches with attention to marital status, an expert noted in the press release.
For the study, experts assessed a federally maintained database, analysing data from more than 4 million cancer cases among more than 100 million people living in 12 states between 2015 and 2022.
For some cancers, the rate among the unmarried was even higher than the overall risk across all major cancer types, researchers at the National Cancer Institute said.
Adult men who were never married had approximately five times the rate of anal cancer, while adult women who were never married had nearly three times the rate of cervical cancer, researchers found.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.