Around 40% of cancer diagnoses worldwide are linked to preventable causes, according to a new international study coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Nature Medicine. The research estimates that 20 million new cancer cases were detected in 2022, with 7.1 million attributable to modifiable risk factors. This finding highlights the significant potential for cancer prevention through public health initiatives and lifestyle changes.
Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, accounting for 15.1% of avoidable cases. Infections are the second most significant factor, responsible for 10% of preventable cancers. Other identified risk factors include alcohol consumption, air pollution, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The impact of these factors varies between populations. Cancer cases associated with modifiable risks were higher in men, affecting 45% of new diagnoses, compared to 30% in women. Among men, tobacco use accounted for approximately 23% of cases, while infections (11%), tobacco (6%), and excess weight (3%) were more prominent risk factors in women.
Cancers Most Linked to Preventable Causes
Researchers found that lung, stomach, and cervical cancers account for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases globally. Lung cancer is strongly linked to both smoking and poor air quality. Stomach cancer is often associated with infection by Helicobacter pylori, and cervical cancer is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
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The study considered a wide range of risk factors, including over thirty elements such as new infectious exposures and environmental conditions. Researchers emphasize that understanding how these factors influence cancer risk in different countries and populations is crucial for designing effective prevention policies.
