By Chloe Ramirez, Senior Health Correspondent
A groundbreaking new study has uncovered a troubling connection between rising global temperatures and increasing cancer rates among women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The research, covering data from 1998 to 2019, reveals a stark increase in both cancer incidence and mortality among women across 17 countries in the region as temperatures climbed.
Researchers documented a significant uptick in breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers, with ovarian cancer showing the steepest increase. For every 1°C rise in average temperature, the number of cancer cases jumped from 173 to 280 per 100,000 women. Deaths followed a similar trajectory, rising from 171 to 332 per 100,000. This trend, experts say, highlights an urgent and previously underexplored public health crisis with far-reaching implications.
A Regional Trend with Global Implications
The analysis focused on countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria. These areas have experienced some of the most dramatic temperature rises in recent decades. As the climate continues to warm, the study’s findings suggest that the health burden on women may only grow.
This study employed data from international health research institutions and adjusted for underreporting and economic disparities to ensure accuracy. Factors such as income levels and healthcare access were accounted for to better isolate the relationship between climate change and cancer incidence.
How Climate Change Contributes to Cancer Risk
One of the study’s central claims is that rising temperatures intensify women’s exposure to harmful environmental agents. Increased heat contributes to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation and worsens air pollution—both of which are established carcinogens. Moreover, climate-related phenomena like droughts and wildfires exacerbate pollution levels, introducing more toxins into the air and water supplies.
Additionally, extreme heat can impair the body’s immune responses and disrupt hormonal balances, both of which are relevant in the development of various cancers. Researchers argue that these indirect effects may combine with other risk factors, amplifying the likelihood of illness.
Gender-Specific Vulnerabilities
Women in the MENA region face unique challenges that may heighten their vulnerability to environmental health threats. Societal factors—such as limited access to healthcare, cultural restrictions on mobility, and lower economic participation—can delay diagnosis and treatment. Many women in the region are less likely to receive regular cancer screenings, making early intervention difficult.
Moreover, reproductive health services and cancer care infrastructure vary widely across the MENA region. In conflict-affected or economically strained nations, such services may be scarce or non-existent. This lack of access not only worsens health outcomes but also makes it harder to gather reliable public health data, obscuring the full scale of the problem.
A Call to Action
The study concludes with a powerful message for policymakers: climate change must be addressed not only as an environmental or economic issue but as a pressing public health and gender equity concern. Governments are encouraged to integrate climate resilience into healthcare planning, particularly in cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Experts advocate for more targeted research into the intersection of environmental and women’s health issues, calling for data collection improvements and increased investment in female-centered healthcare infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, combining environmental policies with robust public health frameworks.
Global Lessons
While the study focuses on MENA countries, its implications resonate globally. As temperatures rise worldwide, other regions may begin to see similar patterns emerge. Public health systems everywhere must prepare to understand and mitigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change on women’s health.
This research stands as a critical reminder that climate change is not a distant threat. Its effects are already being felt in the most intimate and life-altering ways. By recognizing these links and responding proactively, societies can better protect vulnerable populations and build a healthier, more resilient future.
