Nearly Four in Ten Global Cancer Cases Linked to Preventable Causes

A global analysis published by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that a substantial portion of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were linked to preventable causes.

The study, released in Nature Medicine on 3 February 2026, examined cancer incidence data from 185 countries and considered 36 different cancer types. Researchers identified 30 modifiable risk factors that contributed to new cancer cases during the year.

According to the analysis, around 7.1 million of the 18.7 million new cancer cases recorded worldwide in 2022 were associated with factors that could be changed or avoided. This represented about 37% of all new cancer cases for that year.

Tobacco smoking was identified as the leading preventable cause, responsible for approximately 15% of new cancer diagnoses globally. Infections and alcohol consumption were also significant contributors, accounting for about 10% and 3% of new cases, respectively.

What the numbers show

• 7.1 million of 18.7 million new cancer cases in 2022 were preventable
• 37% of all new cancer cases were linked to modifiable risk factors
• Tobacco smoking caused 15% of new cancer cases globally in 2022
• Infections accounted for 10%, alcohol for 3% of new cases
• Men had 45% preventable cases, women had 30%

Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers together represented nearly half of all preventable cancer cases worldwide, according to the findings. The study is among the first to provide a global estimate of cancer cases, rather than deaths, attributable to preventable factors.

The analysis found notable differences by sex. Men experienced a higher proportion of preventable cancers, with about 45% of new cases considered avoidable, compared to roughly 30% in women. For men, smoking was linked to around 23% of all new cancer cases, while in women, infections accounted for approximately 11%.

The research included a comprehensive review of modifiable risks, such as tobacco use, infections, and alcohol consumption, across a wide range of cancer types and countries. The study's methodology allowed for a detailed assessment of how these factors contribute to cancer incidence on a global scale.

The publication of these findings in Nature Medicine marks a step in quantifying the impact of preventable risks on cancer cases worldwide. The analysis provides a basis for further research and potential public health strategies targeting modifiable risk factors.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.