A new study links climate change to rising rates of women’s cancers across the Middle East and North Africa. Researchers have found that as temperatures climb, so do cases of breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Though the increase in rates is modest, it is statistically significant and could have serious public health implications.
Dr. Wafa Abuelkheir Mataria of the American University in Cairo led the research. She stated that every degree of temperature rise shows an increase in mortality, particularly for breast and ovarian cancers. The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, focuses on the long-term effects of climate change on women’s health.
UNHEALTHY CLIMATE: A CATALYST FOR DISEASE
Environmental degradation from climate change disrupts ecosystems, damages infrastructure, and weakens healthcare systems. Extreme heat, food and water insecurity, and air pollution heighten exposure to risk factors. The compounding impact leaves women increasingly vulnerable to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Natural disasters and unpredictable weather events add further strain. Healthcare systems struggle to respond effectively under these stresses, especially in already under-resourced regions. Women, due to their physiological and social vulnerabilities, are often hit hardest.
A REGIONAL FOCUS: MENA IN THE CROSSHAIRS
The study examines 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). These include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Palestine. All are experiencing increasing average temperatures and face climate-related health threats.
Researchers compared cancer data from 1998 to 2019 with recorded temperature changes. They observed that cancer prevalence and mortality rose alongside temperatures, highlighting a dangerous trend. Not all countries showed equal changes. However, six nations had notable increases: Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Syria.
NUMBERS THAT RAISE ALARMS
The statistics are stark. For each additional degree Celsius, cancer cases rose by 173 to 280 per 100,000 people. Ovarian cancer showed the steepest increase. Mortality rates also spiked, with 171 to 332 additional deaths per 100,000 recorded. Ovarian cancer again led the rise, followed by breast cancer.
Country-specific data shows even wider variations. In Qatar, breast cancer prevalence rose by 560 cases per 100,000 per degree Celsius, compared to 330 in Bahrain. These disparities suggest that while temperature rise is a critical factor, other local conditions also contribute.
COMPLEX PATHWAYS: BEYOND THE THERMOMETER
Dr. Sungsoo Chun, a co-author of the study, emphasized that multiple mechanisms likely contribute. Rising temperatures may increase carcinogen exposure, disrupt medical care, and alter biological processes. All these can elevate long-term cancer risks.
Social factors also play a role. Women in marginalized communities face limited access to early screening and treatment. Physiological vulnerabilities, especially during pregnancy, increase risk further. Climate change exacerbates existing healthcare inequalities.
SCREENING VS. EXPOSURE
Improved cancer screening might explain higher prevalence, but not rising mortality. More early diagnoses should ideally reduce deaths. However, the study found both prevalence and mortality increasing, suggesting exposure to environmental risk factors is the primary cause.
Dr. Mataria cautioned that the study doesn’t prove direct causality. Although the team controlled for GDP, other unmeasured factors could be involved. Still, consistent patterns across countries support the urgency of deeper investigation.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
Public health strategies must evolve to tackle climate-linked risks. Strengthening cancer screening programs is crucial. Health systems must also adapt to climate stress, becoming more resilient to disasters and environmental shocks.
Dr. Chun called for urgent action. Reducing exposure to environmental carcinogens and boosting healthcare access can slow the cancer burden. Policymakers must integrate climate considerations into healthcare planning.
Without intervention, the link between climate and cancer could worsen. Vulnerable populations, especially women, will continue to bear the brunt. The findings signal an urgent need for both global climate policy and regional healthcare reforms.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS
This research is one piece in a growing puzzle linking climate and health. It shows how warming trends don’t just threaten the environment but infiltrate bodies and lives. As climate change accelerates, so too may the spread of chronic diseases like cancer.
For women in the MENA region, the rising thermometer is not just an environmental issue. It’s a warning sign for future health crises. And unless governments act, the damage may be irreversible.
FINAL THOUGHT
As climate science expands, so must our understanding of its health impacts. This study underscores that rising temperatures can bring unseen risks. Women’s health, already impacted by inequality, now faces an added climate threat.
Immediate steps can reduce the impact: invest in climate-resilient healthcare, improve early detection, and reduce exposure to pollutants. Delay will only increase the cost in lives.
