As temperatures have climbed over the past two decades in Middle Eastern and North African countries, cancer deaths among women have also increased, a new study reveals.
Researchers focused on breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers in 17 nations vulnerable to extreme heat. They found a small but significant rise in both cancer cases and deaths linked to rising temperatures.
The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, shows that for every degree Celsius increase in temperature, cancer cases rose from 173 to 280 per 100,000 people, while deaths increased from 171 to 332 per 100,000. Ovarian cancer showed the largest increase in both cases and mortality.
Scientists explain this connection by noting that climate change raises exposure to cancer risk factors. Higher temperatures can increase ultraviolet radiation due to ozone layer depletion and worsen air pollution from droughts and wildfires. These environmental changes expose women to more carcinogens.
Women in this region face additional challenges. Cultural, legal, and economic barriers limit their access to cancer screening and treatment. This makes them more vulnerable to the health effects of climate change.
The study’s co-author, Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria of the American University in Cairo, emphasized the importance of including gender-sensitive strategies in climate and health policies.
The researchers also found that the rise in cancer rates was not uniform across all countries. Significant increases in both cancer cases and deaths were observed in Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria. The variation may be due to differences in temperature extremes and pollution levels.
Experts suggest that rising temperatures affect cancer risk through multiple pathways. Heat can increase exposure to carcinogens, disrupt healthcare services, and even influence biological processes at a cellular level. This combination may elevate cancer risk over time.
While improved cancer screening can lead to higher reported cases, it usually results in lower death rates because early detection improves treatment outcomes.
However, this study found that both cancer cases and deaths increased, indicating that environmental and healthcare factors linked to heat are driving the rise.
Despite some data limitations, such as underreporting and healthcare access disparities, the study highlights an urgent public health concern. The authors call for governments and health organizations to address climate change as a critical factor in women’s health, integrating climate adaptation into cancer control plans.
In summary, rising temperatures in the Middle East and North Africa are linked to higher rates of deadly cancers among women. This underscores the need for urgent action to protect vulnerable populations from the growing health risks posed by climate change
