Cancer continues to be one of the world’s leading causes of illness and death, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths globally in 2020—almost one in six deaths overall. If current trends persist, the number of new cancer cases is projected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts worldwide. The study was released ahead of World Cancer Day, observed annually on 4 February, to draw attention to the scale of preventable cancer burden.
Based on data from 185 countries and covering 36 different cancer types, the analysis estimates that 37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022—approximately 7.1 million cases—were linked to preventable causes. According to WHO experts, analysing patterns across countries and population groups can help governments and individuals identify targeted actions to prevent many cancers before they develop.
Tobacco use emerged as the single largest preventable cause of cancer, responsible for 15 per cent of all new cases globally. This was followed by infections, which accounted for 10 per cent, and alcohol consumption at 3 per cent. Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together made up nearly half of all preventable cases among both men and women. Lung cancer was mainly associated with smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer with Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer almost entirely with human papillomavirus (HPV).
The burden of preventable cancer differs significantly between men and women. Among new cancer cases, 45 per cent in men were linked to preventable factors, compared with 30 per cent in women. In men, smoking was the dominant risk factor, accounting for 23 per cent of new cases, followed by infections and alcohol use. In women, infections were the leading cause of preventable cancers, followed by smoking and high body mass index.
Substantial regional differences were also observed. Among women, the proportion of preventable cancers ranged from 24 per cent in North Africa and West Asia to 38 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa. Among men, East Asia had the highest burden at 57 per cent, while Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the lowest at 28 per cent. These variations reflect differences in exposure to behavioural, environmental, occupational and infectious risk factors, as well as disparities in socioeconomic conditions, prevention policies and health system capacity.
The report underscores the importance of context-specific prevention strategies, including strong tobacco control policies, regulation of alcohol consumption, and widespread vaccination against HPV and other cancer-causing infections such as hepatitis B. Improving air quality, ensuring safer workplaces, promoting healthier diets and encouraging physical activity are also identified as key measures.
The WHO emphasised that coordinated action across multiple sectors—ranging from health and education to energy, transport and labour—can prevent millions of families from facing the burden of a cancer diagnosis. Addressing preventable risk factors not only reduces cancer incidence but also helps lower long-term healthcare costs and improves overall population health and well-being.
