Nearly 40% of cancer cases worldwide – approximately 7.1 million diagnoses in 2022 – are linked to preventable factors, according to a new global analysis. The study, published in Nature, identifies 30 avoidable causes of cancer, including tobacco utilize, alcohol consumption, a high body mass index (BMI), physical inactivity, air pollution, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Significantly, the research also highlights nine cancer-causing infections as preventable risk factors.
This comprehensive assessment, based on data from 185 countries and covering 36 cancer types, underscores the substantial potential of preventative measures to reduce the global burden of the disease and the suffering it causes. Understanding these preventable causes is crucial for public health initiatives aimed at lowering cancer rates.
Tobacco Use Remains a Leading Factor
The study pinpointed tobacco as the most significant preventable cause of cancer globally, responsible for 15% of all new cases. Infections followed as the second leading cause, accounting for 10% of cases, while alcohol consumption contributed to 3%.
Looking at specific cancer types, the data revealed that lung, stomach, and cervical cancers collectively accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women worldwide. Lung cancer is primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer is often attributed to infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, and cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
“This is the first global analysis that shows the proportion of cancer risk that is attributable to preventable causes,” said André Ilbawi, team lead for Cancer Control at the World Health Organization. “By examining patterns across different countries and populations, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cases of cancer before they occur.”
The degree to which cancer is preventable varies considerably by region, with opportunities for improvement particularly notable in North Africa for women and in East Asia for men.
The Role of Infections
The analysis also revealed that preventable cancers are more common in men (45%) than in women (30%). Among men, smoking is the primary driver of new cancer cases, followed by infections and alcohol use. For women, infections are the leading preventable cause, followed by smoking and a high BMI.
Cancer researcher Isabelle Soerjomataram expressed her satisfaction that the study incorporated infectious causes alongside behavioral, environmental, and occupational risks. “Addressing these preventable causes offers one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
The findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies, such as measures to combat tobacco use, regulate alcohol consumption, and promote vaccination against cancer-causing infections like HPV and hepatitis B. Researchers also suggest that governments can significantly improve air quality, ensure safer workplaces, encourage healthier diets, and promote increased physical activity. Addressing these preventable risk factors could also lead to substantial cost savings for healthcare systems, in addition to preventing illness and suffering.
