What is the best day to get married without suffering any cancer heartbreak? According to new research, it doesn’t have to be on July 31st.
A study last week in Cancer Research Communications revealed that adults who have never been married have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer than those who are married or have been married in the past.
The University of Miami team found that cancer incidence rates were 68% higher in men who have never been married and 85% higher in women who have never been married.
But calm down… The researchers make a point of not framing their conclusions in a way that suggests that marriage prevents cancer, or that one should try to tie the knot as quickly as possible to protect one’s health – says .
The researchers suggest that healthier people can be more likely to opt for marriage from the beginning.
The statistics result from an analysis of more than 4 million cases of cancer in 12 US states, registered between 2015 and 2022 for people aged 30 and over.
Some of the biggest differences were seen in anal cancer in men (about five times the rate in men who have never been married, compared to men who were married or previously), and in breast cancer cervix in women (almost three times the rate in women who have never been married compared to women who are married or have been previously married).
These two diseases are closely linked to human papilloma virus (HPV)sexually transmitted, where having a partner who encourages someone to get tested can make a difference.
To cancers with a high level of organized screening (such as breast or prostate), the differences weren’t that big.
Conclusion: the best day to get married to avoid cancer? The new study does not recommend rushing. However, you also don’t need to wait for July 31st, as suggested Quim Barreiros.
