“Millions of Cancer Cases Could Be Avoided: New WHO Analysis Shows the Power of Prevention”
About 7.1 million of 18.7 million cancers diagnosed in 2022 were linked to preventable causes — and lifestyle changes can make a difference.
HEALTH
Cancer is often seen as inevitable, but a major new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reveals that nearly four in every ten new cases could be prevented before they start. According to the analysis, around 7.1 million of the 18.7 million cancers diagnosed globally in 2022 were linked to modifiable risk factors — meaning many cases stem from causes people and policymakers can change.
The research examined 30 cancer risk factors spanning lifestyle, environmental, and infectious causes. Tobacco smoking emerged as the single largest contributor, responsible for roughly 15 % of preventable cases. Infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori accounted for about 10 % of cases, while alcohol consumption contributed around 3 %. Other preventable risks included high body mass index (obesity), physical inactivity, air pollution, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning devices.
Prevention strategies have real impact. HPV vaccination, smoking cessation programs, policies to reduce alcohol use, healthier diets, and increased physical activity can all significantly cut cancer risk. Public health experts emphasize that early detection and education are equally vital — helping people understand warning signs and get screened regularly.
This landmark analysis, released ahead of World Cancer Day 2026, highlights an urgent but hopeful message: many cancer cases are not inevitable — they can be prevented with evidence‑based actions at both individual and societal levels.
Author Sofiane Hamissa