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 NEVER smoked. Getting cancer does not mean someone smokes. There are many different types of cancer and many different risk factors, and sometimes there is no obvious cause.
A single person who takes care of themselves, gets recommended screenings, sees their doctor when needed, avoids smoking, and makes healthy choices can still live a healthy life. Being single does not mean someone is destined to get cancer.
So this is not simply about “luck” or whether someone has a husband or wife. The study found an association; it did not prove that marriage prevents cancer or that being unmarried causes it.
The Bible also teaches in 1 Corinthians 7 that remaining unmarried can allow a person to devote more attention to serving the Lord. Being single can be a perfectly good path in life. ❤️🌷
