A new study suggests that unmarried individuals may face a higher risk of developing cancer compared to those who are married.

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine analyzed data from more than 4 million cancer cases across the United States. The findings revealed that people who have never married are more likely to be diagnosed with various types of cancer than their married counterparts.

The study does not claim that marriage prevents cancer, but it highlights the role of social factors, such as marital status, in influencing health outcomes. According to researchers, unmarried individuals may be more exposed to risk factors like smoking, poor diet, and obesity, which are known to increase cancer risk.

Another key finding is that married individuals are more likely to receive early diagnoses and have better survival rates. This may be due to stronger family support systems, which encourage timely medical care and adherence to treatment.

The study categorized participants into two groups: those who were married or had been married, and those who had never married. Results showed that unmarried men had a 70% higher risk of cancer, while unmarried women had an 85% higher risk.

Researchers caution that further studies are needed to confirm these findings. The results were published in the journal Cancer Research Communications.