WHO: Four in ten global cancer cases in 2022 linked to preventable causes

Nearly four out of every ten cancer cases globally in 2022 were linked to preventable causes, according to a landmark analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Published on 3 February 2026 ahead of World Cancer Day, the research estimated that 37%—or approximately 7.1 million—of new cancer cases could have been avoided through better prevention efforts.

The comprehensive study, covering data from 185 countries and 36 types of cancer, highlighted tobacco use as the leading risk factor, responsible for 15% of global cancer cases.

This was followed by infections, such as those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) or Helicobacter pylori, which accounted for 10%, and alcohol consumption, which contributed to 3%.

Dr Andre Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and one of the study’s authors, stated: “This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent… [It] provides governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start”.

Disparities across gender and regions

Men were found to be disproportionately affected by preventable cancers, with 45% of their new cases in 2022 attributed to avoidable causes, compared to 30% among women.

Among men, 23% of all new cancer cases were linked to smoking, with infections and alcohol contributing 9% and 4% respectively.

For women, infections were the largest contributor at 11%, followed by smoking (6%) and high body mass index (3%).

Regionally, the burden varied significantly. Preventable cancer cases in men were highest in East Asia at 57%, and lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean at 28%. Among women, the rates ranged from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa.

These disparities reflect differing levels of exposure to risk factors and inequalities in socioeconomic development, health system capacity, and national policy enforcement.

Primary types of preventable cancers

Three types of cancer—lung, stomach, and cervical—made up nearly half of all preventable cases globally.

Lung cancer was primarily attributed to tobacco use and air pollution, stomach cancer to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer to HPV, against which effective vaccines exist.

Call for comprehensive prevention strategies

Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study, emphasised: “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden”.

The study called for urgent and coordinated global action including:

• Stronger tobacco control and alcohol regulation

• Expanded HPV and hepatitis B vaccination programmes

• Improved air quality and workplace safety

• Healthier diets and increased physical activity

WHO and IARC also noted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, involving health, education, energy, transport and labour ministries to create environments that reduce exposure to known cancer risks.

The report concluded that addressing these factors not only reduces cancer rates but also cuts long-term healthcare costs and improves overall public health outcomes.