Cancer Cases: WHO Report Reveals 40% of Global Are Preventable
Frank Ocansey
Editor, PulseView
Cancer Cases: A new global analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has revealed that up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented through effective public health interventions and healthier lifestyle choices. The report, released ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February, highlights prevention as one of the most powerful tools in reducing the global cancer burden.
The study examined 30 major preventable risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and for the first time nine cancer-causing infections. Researchers estimate that about 37% of all new cancer diagnoses in 2022, representing roughly 7.1 million cases, were linked to causes that could potentially be avoided.
Using data from 185 countries and covering 36 different cancer types, the analysis identified tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 15% of all new cases. Cancer-causing infections ranked second at 10%, while alcohol consumption contributed to around 3% of cases.
The study also revealed that three cancers; lung, stomach, and cervical cancer made up nearly half of all preventable cancer cases among both men and women globally. Lung cancer was strongly associated with smoking and exposure to air pollution. Stomach cancer was largely linked to infection with Helicobacter pylori, while cervical cancer was predominantly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Dr André Ilbawi, WHO’s Team Lead for Cancer Control and one of the study’s authors, explained that this is the first comprehensive global assessment showing how much cancer risk is connected to preventable causes. He emphasized that understanding these patterns enables governments and individuals to take practical steps that could significantly reduce cancer cases before they develop.
Gender and Regional Differences
The burden of preventable cancers varied notably between men and women. Approximately 45% of cancer cases in men were linked to preventable factors compared to 30% in women. Among men, smoking accounted for nearly a quarter of new cancer cases, followed by infections and alcohol consumption. For women, infections were the leading preventable cause, followed by tobacco use and high body weight.
According to Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study, the inclusion of infectious causes alongside behavioural and environmental risks makes this analysis a landmark global assessment. She noted that addressing these factors offers one of the most effective strategies for reducing cancer worldwide.
Preventable cancer rates also differed significantly across regions. Among women, preventable cancers ranged from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa. For men, the highest proportion was observed in East Asia at 57%, while the lowest was in Latin America and the Caribbean at 28%. These regional differences reflect variations in lifestyle behaviours, environmental exposures, workplace risks, healthcare access, and national prevention policies.
A Call for Stronger Prevention Strategies
The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored prevention approaches that reflect each region’s unique risk factors. Experts recommend comprehensive tobacco control policies, stricter alcohol regulation, vaccination programmes for infections such as HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality standards, safer work environments, and greater promotion of physical activity and healthy diets.
The report also stresses the importance of coordinated action across multiple sectors beyond healthcare including education, transport, energy, and labour to create environments that support healthier choices. By addressing preventable risks, countries can reduce cancer incidence, lower long-term healthcare costs, and improve overall population well-being.
Ultimately, the analysis reinforces a powerful message: many cancer cases are not inevitable. With sustained commitment to prevention and public health strategies, millions of lives could be protected from the physical, emotional, and economic burden of cancer.
Source: WHO
Also read: How to Apply for Health Training Institutions 2025/2026 Admission in Ghana
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