Overview
- Researchers estimate 37–38% of 2022 cancer cases—about 7.1 million of 18.7 million—were linked to 30 modifiable risks across 36 cancers in 185 countries, in findings published in Nature Medicine.
- Tobacco was the largest driver at roughly 15% of new cases, followed by infections at about 10% and alcohol at around 3%.
- Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of preventable cases, largely tied to smoking and air pollution, Helicobacter pylori, and HPV respectively.
- The preventable share was higher in men than women (about 45% vs 30%), with the burden peaking in East Asia for men (57%) and in sub‑Saharan Africa for women (38%).
- WHO and IARC urge context‑specific prevention, including stronger tobacco and alcohol control, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality, safer workplaces, healthier diets and more physical activity.