Up to four in 10 or 7.1 million cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a recent global analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study highlighted tobacco as the primary preventable cause of cancer globally, contributing to 15% of all new cancer cases. Additionally, the research revealed that nine cancer-causing infections account for about 10% of cancer cases.
For the first time, the analysis identified various preventable causes of cancer, including alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation. It estimated that 37% of new cancer cases in 2022, approximately 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable factors. Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers were the top three types responsible for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases worldwide.
The study highlighted specific causes behind these cancers: lung cancer was mainly associated with smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer with Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer with human papillomavirus (HPV). Dr. Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and study author, emphasized the importance of understanding preventable cancer risks globally to aid in effective prevention strategies.
Men faced a higher burden of preventable cancer cases compared to women, with 45% of new cases in men and 30% in women attributed to preventable causes. Smoking was the leading preventable cause in men, accounting for 23% of new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9% and alcohol at 4%. Among women, infections contributed to 11% of new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6% and high body mass index at 3%.
The findings underscored the necessity for tailored prevention strategies, including robust tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections like HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and healthier food and physical activity environments. Addressing these preventable risk factors not only reduces cancer incidence but also leads to decreased long-term healthcare costs and enhanced population health and well-being.
