Global Study Uncovers 30 Preventable Causes of Cancer, with Men at Higher Risk
In a groundbreaking global analysis, researchers from the World Health Organization have identified thirty avoidable risk factors that significantly contribute to cancer development, including nine cancer-causing infections highlighted for the first time. The study, which examined data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, reveals that approximately 37 percent of all new cancer cases in 2022—equating to about 7.1 million cases—were linked to preventable causes. This finding underscores the critical role of lifestyle and environmental interventions in combating the disease.
Preventable Cancer More Prevalent in Men, Study Finds
The research indicates a notable gender disparity, with men more likely than women to receive a cancer diagnosis related to preventable causes. Specifically, 45 percent of new cancer cases in men were associated with avoidable factors, compared to 30 percent in women. This disparity highlights the need for targeted public health strategies to address modifiable risks across different population groups.
Dr. André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and a lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of this analysis in a press release. "This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent," he stated. "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."
Top Preventable Risk Factors: Smoking, Infections, and Alcohol
The study pinpointed the leading avoidable causes of cancer worldwide. Smoking tobacco emerged as the most significant risk factor, responsible for 15 percent of new cases globally. Infections, including HPV and others, ranked second, accounting for 10 percent of new cases, with many preventable through vaccines and safe practices. Alcohol consumption was identified as the third major risk factor, contributing to 3 percent of new cases.
Three specific cancers—lung, stomach, and cervical—were found to account for nearly half of all preventable cases in both men and women globally. Lung cancer is primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer to Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, and cervical cancer overwhelmingly to HPV.
Comprehensive List of 30 Avoidable Risk Factors
The research outlines a detailed list of thirty preventable causes, as reported by sources like The New York Post. These include:
- Smoking tobacco
- Infections (e.g., HPV, Hepatitis B and C)
- Drinking alcohol
- High BMI
- Physical inactivity
- Smokeless tobacco
- Poor breastfeeding practices
- Air pollution
- Excess UV exposure
- Various pathogens like Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori
- Environmental exposures such as asbestos, arsenic, and diesel engine exhaust
This study comes at a crucial time, as the American Cancer Society projects over 2 million new cancer cases and more than 600,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2026 alone. The findings reinforce that four in ten cancer cases could be avoided through better lifestyle choices, offering a hopeful message for cancer prevention efforts worldwide.
