A new global analysis carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stated that up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented. The study estimates that 37% (about 7.1 million cases) of all new cancer cases in 2022 were linked to preventable causes, highlighting the significant potential of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden.
Released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the analysis examined 30 preventable risk factors across 185 countries and 36 cancer types. These include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections.
Tobacco was identified as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 10% and alcohol consumption at 3%. Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women worldwide.
Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, while cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
“This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent,” said Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and an author of the study. “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start.”
The study found that the burden of preventable cancer was higher among men than women, with 45% of new cancer cases in men linked to preventable causes, compared with 30% in women. Among men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9% and alcohol at 4%. Among women globally, infections accounted for 11% of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6% and high body mass index at 3%.
“This landmark study is a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks,” said Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study. “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
The findings underscore the need for region-specific prevention strategies, including strong tobacco control, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces and healthier food and physical activity environments.
The analysis also highlights the importance of coordinated action across sectors such as health, education, energy, transport and labour to reduce exposure to preventable risk factors, lower long-term healthcare costs and improve overall population health and well-being.
Released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the analysis examined 30 preventable risk factors across 185 countries and 36 cancer types. These include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections.
Tobacco was identified as the leading preventable cause of cancer globally, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 10% and alcohol consumption at 3%. Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women worldwide.
Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, while cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
“This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent,” said Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and an author of the study. “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start.”
The study found that the burden of preventable cancer was higher among men than women, with 45% of new cancer cases in men linked to preventable causes, compared with 30% in women. Among men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9% and alcohol at 4%. Among women globally, infections accounted for 11% of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6% and high body mass index at 3%.
“This landmark study is a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks,” said Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study. “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
Preventable cancer rates by region
Preventable cancer rates varied widely across regions. Among women, the share of preventable cancers ranged from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa. Among men, the highest burden was observed in East Asia at 57%, while the lowest was recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean at 28%. These differences reflect varying exposure to risk factors, along with differences in socioeconomic development, prevention policies and health system capacity.The findings underscore the need for region-specific prevention strategies, including strong tobacco control, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces and healthier food and physical activity environments.
The analysis also highlights the importance of coordinated action across sectors such as health, education, energy, transport and labour to reduce exposure to preventable risk factors, lower long-term healthcare costs and improve overall population health and well-being.
