A new study has revealed a concerning connection between rising global temperatures and an increased risk of breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers in women across 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The research, published in Frontiers in Public Health, indicates that even modest temperature increases are associated with a statistically significant rise in both the prevalence and mortality rates of these cancers.
Cancer represents one of the most significant health challenges of our time, affecting millions of people worldwide. At its core, cancer occurs when normal cells undergo genetic mutations that cause them to grow and divide uncontrollably. Unlike healthy cells that follow orderly growth patterns and die when damaged, cancer cells ignore these natural signals and continue multiplying.
The disease manifests in over 100 different types, each named after the organ or tissue where it originates. Common forms include breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread to distant parts of the body through a process called metastasis, making early detection crucial for successful treatment.
Risk factors vary widely but include age, genetics, lifestyle choices like smoking and diet, environmental exposures, and certain infections.
In their study, scientists from the American University in Cairo investigated temperature changes and cancer data between 1998 and 2019 in 17 MENA countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Palestine.
They found that for every one-degree Celsius rise in temperature, cases of these four cancers became more common and more likely to be fatal.
Crucially, the observed increases could not be attributed to improvements in diagnosis or survival rates, suggesting a direct link to environmental factors.
“As temperatures rise, cancer mortality among women also rises—particularly for ovarian and breast cancers,” stated Dr. Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria, first author of the article. “Although the increases per degree of temperature rise are modest, their cumulative public health impact is substantial.”
The findings highlight the notion that a changing climate creates an increasingly unhealthy environment.
Rising temperatures, coupled with compromised food and water security and deteriorating air quality, are known to exacerbate the burden of disease globally.
Furthermore, the disruption of healthcare infrastructure by natural disasters and unanticipated weather conditions can limit access to timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to more advanced and serious cancers.
“Women are physiologically more vulnerable to climate-related health risks, particularly during pregnancy,” Dr. Sungsoo Chun, a co-author of the study, explained.
“This is compounded by inequalities that limit access to healthcare. Marginalized women face a multiplied risk because they are more exposed to environmental hazards and less able to access early screening and treatment services.”
The study revealed a notable increase in cancer cases per 100,000 people for every additional degree Celsius, ranging from 173 to 280 cases, with ovarian cancer showing the highest rise.
Mortality rates also climbed, with 171 to 332 more deaths per 100,000 people for each degree of temperature increase, again with ovarian cancer experiencing the most significant rise.
While the increases were observed across the region, specific countries like Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria exhibited more pronounced rises in both cancer prevalence and deaths.
This variation suggests that other localized factors, such as particularly extreme summer temperatures or higher levels of carcinogenic air pollution, could be at play.
The researchers acknowledge that while the study highlights a probable link, it cannot establish direct causality.
“While we controlled for GDP per capita, other unmeasured factors could contribute,” cautioned Dr. Mataria.
“Nonetheless, the consistent associations observed across multiple countries and cancer types provide compelling grounds for further investigation.”
The study is published in Frontiers in Public Health.
