By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the WHO and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
These findings were made known in a publication released on the WHO news portal in commemoration of World Cancer Day, celebrated on February 4th. According to the release, the study examines 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high Body Mass Index (BMI), physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and—for the first time—nine cancer-causing infections.
The analysis, which estimates that 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022 (around 7.1 million cases) were linked to preventable causes, highlights the enormous potential of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden. Tobacco remains the single greatest threat, identified as the leading preventable cause responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases worldwide. It is followed by infections (10%) and alcohol consumption (3%).
The report stated that three cancer types—lung, stomach, and cervical cancer—accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases globally. Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
The data also reveals a stark gender disparity in preventable risks. The burden is substantially higher in men, with 45% of new cases deemed preventable, compared to 30% in women. This gap is largely driven by smoking habits; tobacco accounts for an estimated 23% of all new male cancer cases but only 6% in women. Among women globally, infections remain the primary preventable concern (11%), followed by smoking and high BMI.
Geographically, the preventable burden varies significantly, reflecting deep-seated socioeconomic and environmental divides. Among men, the highest preventable burden was observed in East Asia (57%), while the lowest was in Latin America and the Caribbean (28%). For women, sub-Saharan Africa faces the highest burden (38%), highlighting the urgent need for expanded access to vaccinations and screening in these regions.
“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 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.”
Ultimately, the findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies, including strong tobacco control, alcohol regulation, and vaccinations for HPV and Hepatitis B. Coordinated action across sectors—from energy and transport to labor—can prevent millions of families from experiencing the burden of a cancer diagnosis while lowering long-term healthcare costs.
