SAEDNEWS: Marriage is an ancient human tradition that was once nearly universal. However, marriage rates have declined in recent years, meaning some people may be missing potential health benefits associated with it.
According to Saednews, A study published in the Journal of Cancer Research suggests that marriage may be associated with a reduced risk of developing cancer. The findings add to a growing body of research linking marriage to improved health outcomes.
According to CNN, the results show that men who have never married have a 68% higher rate of cancer compared to married men, a group that also includes divorced and widowed individuals. The increase is even greater among women who have never married, with an estimated 83% higher cancer risk.
Dr. Andrew J. Cherlin, professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins University who studies family sociology, noted the potential benefits of marriage, saying it can seem as if married and unmarried people belong to two different societies.
Dr. Brad Wilcox, a University of Virginia professor who studies marriage, explained that marriage may offer greater protection for women when it comes to cancer risk. He, however, was not involved in the study and called the findings noteworthy.
The study’s authors suggest multiple factors may explain the association. For certain cancers—such as endometrial and ovarian cancer—reproductive factors may play a role. Women who have never given birth are known to face higher risks for these types of cancers.
Dr. Paulo S. Pinheiro, the study’s lead author and an epidemiologist at the University of Miami Health System, said that in older adults the association appeared stronger, suggesting that the effects of marriage may “accumulate over time.”
Cherlin also raised a broader question: whether marriage makes people healthier, or whether healthier individuals are more likely to get married.
Researchers note that marriage is often linked to better access to healthcare and stronger social support. The study also found strong associations between marriage and lower rates of lung and cervical cancers, which are closely tied to risk behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use. Married individuals were also more likely to undergo regular health screenings and maintain healthier lifestyles.
