In this study, out findings suggested: 1) elevated serum sTfR was associated with increased prevalence of total cancers, which was significant in males rather than females; 2) positive associations were found in both male- and female-specific cancers, including prostate, testis, breast, cervix, ovary and uterus malignancies; 3) serum sTfR was positively correlated to age, body mass index, HbA1c and inflammation while inversely correlated to HDL-C, serum iron, ferritin and iron intake. Here, TFRC is linked to cancer.