Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 27: A new study has found a concerning link between rising global temperatures and an increase in cancer cases among women, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the study highlights that as climate change intensifies, so does the risk and mortality of certain cancers in women.
Researchers found that higher temperatures are significantly associated with rising rates of breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Though the increases may seem modest per degree Celsius, they are statistically significant and carry serious long-term public health consequences.
“As temperatures rise, cancer mortality among women also rises — particularly for ovarian and breast cancers,” said Dr. Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria from the American University in Cairo. “Even small increases in risk, when applied to large populations over time, create a substantial health burden.”
The study focused on 18 climate-vulnerable nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Jordan, and the UAE, covering data from 1998 to 2019. Researchers observed that with every 1°C rise in average temperature, the prevalence of female cancers increased by 173 to 280 cases per 100,000 women, with ovarian cancer showing the steepest climb. Mortality rates also rose, with an increase of 171 to 332 deaths per 100,000 women, again highest in ovarian cancer.
Co-author Dr. Sungsoo Chun emphasized the added vulnerability of women to climate-related health risks, especially during pregnancy. “These physiological vulnerabilities are often made worse by social inequalities that restrict women’s access to healthcare. Marginalized groups are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards and often lack access to early screening and life-saving treatments,” Chun said.
The findings underscore the need for urgent climate action and targeted public health interventions to protect women, especially in regions where climate change and healthcare inequality intersect most severely.