Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis by the World Health Organization and its International Agency for Research on Cancer. Released ahead of World Cancer Day, the study estimates that 37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022, representing about 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable risk factors, highlighting the major role of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden.
The analysis examined 30 preventable causes of cancer, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution and ultraviolet radiation. For the first time, the study also included nine cancer-causing infections, providing a more comprehensive picture of how modifiable risks contribute to cancer worldwide.
Based on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, tobacco was identified as the leading preventable cause, accounting for 15 per cent of all new cancer cases globally. Infections were responsible for 10 per cent of cases, followed by alcohol consumption at 3 per cent. Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women.
The study found that lung cancer was mainly linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer overwhelmingly to human papillomavirus. These findings underline the effectiveness of proven interventions such as tobacco control, vaccination and infection prevention in reducing cancer risk.
Significant differences were observed between men and women and across regions. Preventable cancer cases were higher among men than women, driven largely by smoking. Regional variations reflected differences in exposure to behavioural, environmental and infectious risks, as well as disparities in socioeconomic development, prevention policies and health system capacity.
WHO and IARC emphasized that addressing preventable cancer risks requires tailored, context-specific strategies. Strong tobacco and alcohol control policies, vaccination against cancer-causing infections, improved air quality, safer working conditions and healthier lifestyles were identified as critical measures to reduce cancer incidence.
The findings highlight the importance of coordinated action across sectors beyond health, including education, energy, transport and labour. By reducing exposure to preventable risk factors, countries can lower cancer cases, reduce long-term health-care costs and improve overall population health and well-being.
