The Truth About Marriage and Cancer Risk
If you read an article saying that people who have never married have a higher risk of cancer, there is an important point to understand. The study found an association between never being married and higher cancer rates, but it did NOT prove that being single or never married causes cancer. It is also incorrect to simply say, “Being married prevents cancer.” Marriage does not prevent cancer. Married people can still get cancer. Both spouses may smoke, or only one spouse may smoke, and being married does not remove the health risks from smoking. One possible explanation is that a spouse may remind or encourage their partner to see a doctor, get recommended screenings, and take care of their health. However, a spouse may not always do this, or may not do it at all. A single person can remind themselves, and friends or family can encourage them too. So having a spouse does not automatically mean someone will receive this kind of support. Someone can also get cancer even if they have ...