The researchers examined data spanning two decades, from 1998 to 2019, comparing cancer incidence and mortality with average temperature increases in the region
As global temperatures continue to climb, the hidden toll of climate change is becoming increasingly evident—not just in melting glaciers or rising sea levels, but in human health. A groundbreaking new study has found a disturbing link between global warming and rising cancer rates among women, particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate extremes.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the study focused on 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These nations are already grappling with the harsh consequences of climate change—scorching summers, water scarcity, and worsening air quality. Now, researchers warn, the heat may also be silently increasing women’s cancer risk.
According to the research team led by Dr Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria and Dr Sungsoo Chun from the American University in Cairo, rising temperatures have been statistically linked to a higher incidence and mortality of cancers in women, specifically breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.
“Although the increases per degree of temperature rise are modest, their cumulative public health impact is substantial,” said Dr Mataria. “As temperatures rise, cancer mortality among women also rises—particularly for ovarian and breast cancers.”
The researchers examined data spanning two decades, from 1998 to 2019, comparing cancer incidence and mortality with average temperature increases in the region. The findings are sobering. For every additional degree Celsius of average temperature, the prevalence of these cancers rose by 173 to 280 cases per 100,000 women. Ovarian cancer saw the most dramatic spike, while breast cancer cases rose the least.
More alarming still is the increase in cancer-related deaths. Mortality rose by 171 to 332 deaths per 100,000 women per degree of temperature rise, with ovarian cancer again registering the highest fatality rate increase.
While the biological mechanisms behind this connection are still under study, the researchers pointed to several contributing factors. Women, particularly in lower-income or marginalized communities, are more vulnerable to climate-related health risks due to a combination of physiological and social factors.
“Women are physiologically more vulnerable to climate-related health risks, particularly during pregnancy,” explained Dr Chun. “This is compounded by inequalities that limit access to healthcare. Marginalised 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 underscores the urgency of addressing climate change not only as an environmental crisis but also as a public health emergency. With temperatures expected to continue rising, especially in climate-sensitive regions like MENA, the burden on healthcare systems could become overwhelming, and the gendered impact even more severe.
Researchers are calling for integrated policies that tackle both climate change and health inequalities. They urge governments to prioritize women’s health in climate adaptation strategies, invest in early cancer detection programs, and improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. The link between global warming and women’s cancer is a stark reminder: the climate crisis is not a distant threat—it’s already reshaping lives, and in some cases, cutting them short.
As Dr Mataria puts it, “Our findings are a call to action. Protecting the planet is also about protecting people—especially the most vulnerable among us.”
