A recent medical study has reported that people who are married may have a lower chance of developing cancer compared to those who have never been married.
The research reviewed health records over an eight-year period, covering millions of adults aged 30 and above across 12 states in the United States.
The results showed that men who have never been married had cancer rates 68% higher than married men, including divorced and widowed individuals. For women, those who had never been married recorded cancer rates 83% higher than their married counterparts.
A researcher, Dr. Brad Wilcox from the University of Virginia, said marriage may offer extra health protection, especially for women.
The study also found that cancers linked to smoking, like lung and esophageal cancer, were more common among unmarried people. Among women, higher cases of endometrial and ovarian cancers were also seen in those who had never married.
Researchers explained that marriage may help reduce cancer risk because married people are more likely to live healthier lifestyles. They may smoke and drink less, go for regular medical check-ups, and do cancer screenings more often than unmarried people.
They added that marriage provides social and economic support, which can also affect overall health.
Researchers explained that marriage may help reduce cancer risk because married people are more likely to live healthier lifestyles. They may smoke and drink less, go for regular medical check-ups, and do cancer screenings more often than unmarried people.
They added that marriage provides social and economic support, which can also affect overall health.
Experts say these combined factors may explain why married individuals tend to record lower rates of some cancers compared to those who are single, divorced, or widowed.
Experts also noted that while marriage may be linked to better health outcomes, it is not a direct cause of lower cancer risk, and other factors such as lifestyle, income, and access to healthcare also play an important role.
