A new global analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that nearly 7 million cancer cases worldwide could be avoided annually. The study highlights how lifestyle choices, infections, and environmental factors contribute to cancer risk.
Major Causes of Preventable Cancers
Researchers found that 37% of cancers are linked to avoidable factors. These include:
- Smoking: Responsible for 3.3 million cases.
- Infections: Such as HPV, hepatitis viruses, and H. pylori, causing 2.3 million cases.
- Alcohol consumption: Linked to 700,000 cases.
Cervical cancers caused by HPV infections can be prevented with vaccination, while smoking and alcohol use remain top contributors globally.
Lifestyle and Environmental Risks
The report analyzed 30 preventable risk factors. Smoking and ultraviolet (UV) exposure directly damage DNA, while obesity and lack of physical activity change hormones and increase inflammation, raising cancer risk. Air pollution can also trigger dormant cancer cells.
Infections play a major role too. HPV can cause cervical cancer, hepatitis viruses increase liver cancer risk, and H. pylori contributes to stomach cancer.
Differences Between Men and Women
The analysis revealed a gender gap. About 45% of cancers in men are preventable, compared with 30% in women. This partly reflects higher smoking rates among men.
Regional differences also matter. In Europe, the top causes of preventable cancers in women are smoking, infections, and obesity. In sub-Saharan Africa, infections account for nearly 80% of preventable cases.
Opportunities for Cancer Prevention
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, deputy head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit, said the findings show a “powerful opportunity” to improve lives worldwide. Dr. Andre Ilbawi from WHO added that the study is encouraging because some countries have already reduced cancer rates through anti-smoking policies and HPV vaccination programs.
The report also shows that lung, stomach, and cervical cancers make up almost half of all preventable cases. Reducing risk factors could dramatically lower the global cancer burden.
Taking Action
Experts urge tailored strategies to fight cancer. Approaches should vary depending on the region, gender, and dominant risk factors. Lifestyle changes, vaccination programs, and clean air policies can prevent millions of cases.
“Preventable cancers can decrease over time, and our goal is to get that number as close to zero as possible,” Dr. Ilbawi said.
