According to the latest study published in the journal Nature Medicine, nearly 40% of new cancer cases diagnosed globally in 2022 were linked to modifiable or avoidable risk factors. An analysis of data from 185 countries revealed that out of 18.7 million cases, approximately 7.1 million were potentially preventable.
The study identified three leading factors responsible for a significant portion of cancer cases:
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Tobacco smoking: 15.1%
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Infections: 10.2% (specifically Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori)
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Alcohol consumption: 3.2%
Interestingly, these risks differ sharply by gender. While infections pose the greatest threat to women (associated with 11.5% of cases), tobacco is the dominant risk factor for men, linked to nearly a quarter (23.1%) of their cancer cases.
The cancer burden also varies significantly by region:
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In Sub-Saharan Africa, women are most vulnerable to preventable risks (38.2%).
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In East Asia, more than half of all cases among men (57.2%) are attributed to such factors.
Scientists emphasize that tobacco control, infection prevention, and region-specific healthcare strategies are crucial for reducing the global cancer burden. However, the lack of data in low- and middle-income countries remains a major obstacle to developing precise public health policies.
