A new global analysis released by the World Health Organization (WHO) this week reveals that nearly 40% of new cancer cases could be prevented through effective public health measures and policy changes. The findings, published in Nature Medicine to coincide with World Cancer Day on February 4, 2026, underscore the significant yet untapped potential of cancer prevention.
The comprehensive study, which analyzed data from 185 countries and 36 different cancer types, discovered that approximately 37% of the 18.7 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2022 were linked to modifiable risk factors. Among the primary drivers were tobacco use, infections, and lifestyle-related exposures.
“The evidence is clear,” stated Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change, and Health. “A substantial portion of cancers—particularly those linked to tobacco, infections, and unhealthy environments—are preventable.”
The report highlights tobacco as the leading preventable cause, responsible for approximately 15% of global cancer cases. Infections from agents like human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori are responsible for another 10%.
“Smoking-related and infection-driven cancers continue to impose a heavy burden,” said Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). “The message is clear: effective prevention is possible and should be a priority.”
The research identifies high-impact areas for intervention. Cervical cancer, for instance, is overwhelmingly caused by HPV, a condition that is vaccine-preventable. Similarly, cancers linked to H. pylori infections could be reduced through improved sanitation and enhanced screening efforts.
The analysis also highlights significant disparities in the global cancer burden. Around 45% of cancers in men were associated with modifiable risk factors, compared to about 30% in women. Regional variations were also apparent, with areas such as East Asia, Latin America, North Africa, and West Asia facing distinct challenges related to lifestyle, environmental exposures, and access to preventive care.
“These disparities reflect differences in lifestyles, environmental exposures, and the availability of preventive healthcare,” explained Dr. Neira. “That’s why tailored, locally relevant strategies are crucial.”
WHO officials are calling for a global scaling-up of proven prevention strategies, such as tobacco taxation, public smoking bans, widespread HPV vaccination programs, and improvements in air quality.
“We must shift the focus upstream,” Dr. Neira emphasized. “Investing in prevention saves lives, reduces long-term health costs, and strengthens resilient health systems.”
The report sends a powerful message: while cancer remains a significant global challenge, a focused commitment to prevention could prevent a substantial portion of the global cancer burden.
