Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 3, 2026 Healthcare
Four out of ten cancer cases worldwide are preventable, according to a new global analysis by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The study, published on the eve of World Cancer Day, celebrated on February 4, covers data from 185 countries and 36 types of cancer. It assesses the impact of 30 preventable risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, high body mass index, low physical activity, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation.
Experts estimate that in 2022, approximately 7.1 million new cancer cases—37 percent—were due to avoidable factors. The authors emphasize that these data demonstrate the enormous potential of prevention in reducing the global burden of the disease.
Main reasons
Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, accounting for 15 percent of all new cases. Infections are second, accounting for 10 percent of new diagnoses. Third place goes to alcohol consumption, responsible for three percent of cases.
Almost half of the preventable cancer cases worldwide are caused by three types of disease: lung, stomach, and cervical cancer. Lung cancer is primarily caused by smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer by Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer – human papillomavirus.
According to Dr. André Ilbawi, Head of the WHO Cancer Control Programme, this is the first global analysis to show the scale of the impact of preventable factors and allow countries and individuals to take more effective measures to reduce risk.
Gender and geographic differences
The study revealed significant differences between men and women. Among men, preventable factors account for 45 percent of new cancer cases, compared to 30 percent among women. The main risk factors for men are smoking, infections, and alcohol, while for women, they are infections, smoking, and a high body mass index.
Regional differences also proved significant. Among women, the proportion of preventable cases ranged from 24 percent in Northern Africa and Western Asia to 38 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. Among men, rates ranged from 28 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean to 57 percent in East Asia. These differences reflect varying levels of exposure to behavioral, environmental, and infectious factors, as well as differences in socioeconomic development, national prevention policies, and health system capacity.
The study authors emphasize that effective prevention strategies must be tailored to the local context and include measures to control tobacco and alcohol sales, HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations, improved air quality, safer workplaces, and the creation of conditions for healthy eating and physical activity.
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