UP TO FOUR in 10 cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a 2026 analysis from WHO and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Lung, stomach, and cervical cancer accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in men and women, globally.
Drawing on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, the study analysed 30 preventable causes of cancer, including tobacco, alcohol, high BMI, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and nine cancer-causing infections.
André Ilbawi, WHO Team Leader for Cancer Control and author of the study, said: “This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent.
“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.”
Preventable Causes and Leading Cancers
Findings estimate that 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022, totalling more than 7 million cases, were linked to preventable causes.
Tobacco was identified as the leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases worldwide. Infections followed at 10%, then alcohol consumption at 3%.
Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was substantially caused by human papillomavirus.
Gender Differences
The burden of preventable cancer was significantly higher in men than in women, with 45% of new cancer cases in men compared with 30% in women.
In men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9%, and alcohol at 4%. Alternatively, among women, infections accounted for 11% of new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6%, and high BMI at 3%.
Regional Differences
Preventable cancer varied widely between regions. In women, preventable cancers ranged from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa. Among men, however, the highest burden was in East Asia, at 57%, and lowest at 28% in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Researchers reported that regional differences reflect varying exposure to behavioural, environmental, occupational, and infectious risk factors, alongside differences in socioeconomic development, national prevention policies, and health system capacity.
Coordinated Action
Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study, said: “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden.”
It was reported that the findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies that include strong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and health food and physical activity environments.
Authors called for coordinated cross-sector action to prevent millions from experiencing the burden of a cancer diagnosis, lower long-term healthcare costs, and generally improve population health and wellbeing.
Reference
Fink H et al. Global and regional cancer burden attributable to modifiable risk factors to inform prevention. Nat Med. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s41591-026-04219-7.
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