Up to four in ten new cancer cases could be avoided, according to a landmark global analysis released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study, which examined 30 modifiable risk factors across 185 countries and 36 cancer types, estimates that 37 % of cancers diagnosed in 2022 – roughly 7.1 million cases – were linked to preventable causes.
Finding the biggest levers for action, the researchers identified tobacco use as the top preventable driver, accounting for 15 % of all new cancers worldwide. Infections followed at 10 % and alcohol consumption at 3 %. Together, these three factors explain more than a quarter of the global cancer burden.
“This is the first global analysis to reveal how much cancer risk comes from causes One can prevent,” said Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and author of the study. “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start.”
What the numbers mean for men and women
Preventable cancers were disproportionately higher among men, representing 45 % of new cases in males versus 30 % in females. Smoking alone explained an estimated 23 % of male cancers, while infections contributed 9 % and alcohol 4 %. Among women, infections were the leading preventable factor at 11 %, followed by smoking at 6 % and high body‑mass index at 3 %.
“This landmark study is a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer worldwide, incorporating for the first time infectious causes of cancer alongside behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks,” said Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author. “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
Top cancers tied to preventable risks
Three cancer types accounted for nearly half of all preventable cases in both sexes:
- Lung cancer – driven primarily by tobacco smoking and air‑pollution exposure.
- Stomach cancer – largely attributable to infection with Helicobacter pylori.
- Cervical cancer – overwhelmingly caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
These findings underscore the importance of integrating tobacco control, clean‑air policies and vaccination programmes into national cancer‑prevention strategies.
Regional variation in preventable cancer burden
Preventable cancer rates varied widely by geography. Among women, the proportion of preventable cases ranged from 24 % in North Africa and West Asia to 38 % in sub‑Saharan Africa. For men, the highest burden was observed in East Asia at 57 %, while Latin America and the Caribbean saw the lowest at 28 %.
These disparities reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as smoking prevalence, occupational hazards, air quality, and the burden of infection‑related cancers, as well as the varying capacity of health systems to implement preventive measures.
Policy implications and next steps
The analysis calls for context‑specific prevention strategies, including:
- Strengthened tobacco‑control legislation and taxation.
- Regulation of alcohol marketing and consumption.
- Expanded vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B.
- Improved indoor and outdoor air‑quality standards.
- Workplace safety measures to limit exposure to carcinogens.
- Public health campaigns promoting healthy weight, physical activity and reduced ultraviolet‑radiation exposure.
Coordinated action across health, education, energy, transport and labour sectors could prevent millions of families from facing a cancer diagnosis and reduce long‑term health‑care costs.
Looking ahead
WHO will spotlight the study’s findings during World Cancer Day on 4 February 2026, an event organized by IARC in Lyon [1](https://iarc60.iarc.who.int/en/world-cancer-day/). The agency plans to release policy briefs and implementation toolkits to help governments translate the data into concrete prevention programs.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full analysis in the peer‑reviewed journal Nature Medicine and consider how national cancer‑control plans can integrate these evidence‑based recommendations [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04219-7](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04219-7).
For readers seeking personalized advice, consult a health‑care professional before making lifestyle changes. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical guidance.
We welcome comments on how your community is tackling preventable cancer risks and invite you to share this story to broaden the conversation.
