Nearly half of all cancers worldwide are potentially preventable, but the risk varies dramatically by region and sex, according to a new global analysis.
A World of Difference in Cancer Prevention
The study, published in Nature Medicine, reveals significant disparities in preventable cancer cases across the globe.
- Around 45% of cancers in men and 30% in women are linked to preventable factors.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, infections cause nearly 80% of preventable cancers in women.
- Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers account for almost half of all preventable cases.
- Successful policies targeting smoking and HPV vaccination demonstrate prevention is possible.
The comprehensive report, published in the journal Nature Medicine, is a landmark assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioral, environmental, and occupational risks. Soerjomataram, the deputy head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit, stated, “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
What percentage of cancers are preventable? Approximately 45% of cancers in men and 30% in women are potentially preventable, largely due to differences in lifestyle factors like smoking rates.
The study highlights a stark sex-divide in preventable cancer rates. Higher smoking rates among men contribute to the greater proportion of preventable cancers in that population. However, the picture becomes more complex when looking at specific regions.
For women in Europe, the top three preventable cancer causes are smoking, infection, and obesity. In stark contrast, infections dominate preventable cancers in women living in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for nearly 80% of cases. This regional variation underscores the need for tailored prevention strategies.
Dr. Andre Ilbawi, team lead for cancer control at WHO, described the findings as “good news,” emphasizing that action can be taken. He pointed to the success of countries that have implemented policies to reduce smoking or increase HPV vaccination rates. “The percentage of preventable cancers can change over time and our goal is to get it as close to zero as possible,” he said.
The report identified lung cancer (linked to smoking and air pollution), stomach cancer (linked to H. pylori infection), and cervical cancer (linked to HPV infection) as making up nearly half of all preventable cancer cases globally.
