World Cancer Day 2026: Up to 4 in 10 cancer cases globally could be prevented

Nearly 40% of global cancer cases could be prevented, WHO and IARC warn

GENEVA/LYON: Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could have been prevented, according to a groundbreaking global analysis released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ahead of World Cancer Day 2026 on 4 February.

The study, which examined 30 preventable causes of cancer, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and nine cancer-causing infections, found that in 2022 alone, approximately 7.1 million new cancer cases (37%) were linked to preventable causes.

Leading preventable causes of cancer

Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases globally, followed by infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C at 10%, and alcohol consumption at 3%. Other contributing factors include air pollution, high body weight, UV exposure, and physical inactivity.

Types of cancer most linked to preventable causes

Three cancers—lung, stomach, and cervical cancer—make up nearly half of all preventable cases worldwide. Lung cancer is largely associated with smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer with Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer almost entirely with HPV.

Expert insights

“This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent,” said Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and author of the study. “By examining patterns across countries and populations, we can provide governments and individuals with precise guidance to prevent many cancer cases before they start.”

Gender, regional differences

The burden of preventable cancer is higher among men than women, with 45% of new cases in men compared to 30% in women. In men, smoking contributes to 23% of new cancers, infections 9%, and alcohol 4%. For women, infections account for 11%, smoking 6%, and high body mass index 3%.

Regional disparities are notable. Among men, East Asia shows the highest preventable cancer burden at 57%, while Latin America and the Caribbean report the lowest at 28%. Among women, preventable cancers range from 24% in North Africa and West Asia to 38% in sub-Saharan Africa. These differences reflect variations in lifestyle, occupational and environmental exposures, socioeconomic development, and national prevention policies.

Prevention measures

The report emphasizes the critical role of prevention. Key recommendations include:

• Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption
• Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight
• Vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B
• Protecting the skin from harmful UV radiation
• Implementing strong tobacco control, alcohol regulation, and cleaner air initiatives

Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit, added: “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden. Coordinated action across sectors—from health and education to energy and transport—can prevent millions of families from experiencing the heavy burden of a cancer diagnosis.”

By focusing on prevention, nations can reduce cancer incidence, lower healthcare costs, and improve population health and well-being. The report calls for context-specific strategies to tackle both behavioral and infectious risk factors and highlights the urgent need for governments and communities to take action.

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