A new global study published in Nature Medicine reveals that roughly 40% of cancer cases diagnosed in 2022 – totaling 7.1 million worldwide – are attributable to preventable risk factors. The research, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) adn the International agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) alongside Canadian and Japanese institutions, identifies 30 factors, including well-known culprits like tobacco and alcohol, alongside emerging concerns such as air pollution and specific viral infections. The findings underscore the notable potential for public health initiatives to curb the global cancer burden and highlight the role individual choices play in cancer prevention.
Nearly 40% of new cancer cases diagnosed in 2022 – approximately 7.1 million cases worldwide – could have been prevented by addressing known risk factors, according to a new global study. The research, published in Nature Medicine, highlights the significant impact lifestyle and environmental factors have on cancer development. This finding underscores the potential for public health interventions to reduce the global cancer burden.
Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), along with institutions in Canada and Japan, identified 36 primary types of cancer and analyzed the role of various preventable risk factors.
Beyond well-established factors like tobacco and alcohol use, the study now recognizes air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, insufficient breastfeeding, and smokeless tobacco as preventable risk factors. Researchers also identified new occupational exposures and infectious agents contributing to cancer risk.
The study specifically linked six viruses to cancer development, in addition to the bacterium Helicobacter pylori:
JOERG SCHAABER / CHRISTIAN SIGL)
- Human papillomavirus
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
- Human T-lymphotropic virus
The expanded list of risk factors provides a more comprehensive understanding of preventable causes of cancer and emphasizes the importance of both lifestyle changes and environmental interventions.
The research was a collaborative effort involving scientists from the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, and the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Center’s Center for Public Health Sciences in Tokyo, Japan.
“This is the first global analysis that shows how much cancer risk is attributable to preventable causes,” said Dr. André Ilbawi, head of the WHO’s cancer control team and co-author of the study.
In 2022, 20 million new cancer cases were diagnosed globally, and 9.7 million people died from cancer worldwide. The researchers aimed to better understand how many cancer cases could be avoided by addressing preventable risk factors, and to obtain more precise data on the proportion of diagnoses not solely determined by chance or genetics.
The study included 30 distinct risk factors, ranging from tobacco and alcohol use to air pollution and ultraviolet radiation exposure, and analyzed data from health records, national surveys, and medical registries across 185 countries.
Researchers accounted for the prevalence of these risks across populations, variations between regions, ages, and sexes, and the time between exposure and cancer development to reflect real-life scenarios.
Researchers suggest the following prevention measures at the national or individual level:
- Policies to control tobacco use (including restrictions, taxes, campaigns, and cessation programs)
- Regulation and reduction of alcohol consumption
- Promotion of healthy habits: a balanced diet, weight management, and increased physical activity
- Control of exposure to air pollution and ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- Improvements in working conditions and reduction of exposure to occupational carcinogens
The study also recommends expanding vaccination against infectious agents like HPV and hepatitis B, along with strategies for controlling and treating infections like Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis C. Promoting breastfeeding and reducing exposure to smokeless tobacco and betel nut (primarily consumed in Asia) are also key recommendations.
Mario Bruno, president of the Argentine Anti-Tobacco Union (UATA) and an oncologist, commented on the study’s findings. “It’s crucial to consider that tobacco use (smoking) is responsible for 15.1% of preventable cancer cases. Infections and alcohol consumption also play a significant role,” he noted.
He emphasized the importance of education, effective policy implementation, and access to prevention. “Investing in educational campaigns and facilitating access to prevention strategies can be more beneficial for societies today,” he added.
