Seven million cancers a year are preventable, says report

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete February 3, 2026 at 05:00 PM

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A new World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that 37% of cancer cases, approximately seven million annually, are preventable. The global analysis, conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, examined data from 185 countries in 2022, linking 30 preventable risk factors from a decade prior to cancer diagnoses. Key contributors include tobacco smoking (3.3 million cases), infections (2.3 million cases), and alcohol use (700,000 cases). Preventable factors vary by region and sex, with men having a higher percentage of preventable cancers (45%) than women (30%) due to factors like smoking. In Europe, smoking, infection, and obesity are primary preventable causes for women, while infections dominate in sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights a significant opportunity to reduce cancer incidence through targeted interventions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Europe 40% Sub-Saharan Africa 40% India 50% Delhi 60% Isabelle Soerjomataram 70% International Agency for Research on Cancer 75% World Health Organization ×290%

Keywords

preventable cancers 100% cancer risk factors 80% smoking tobacco 70% world health organization 70% infections 60% lifestyle choices 50% environmental pollutants 50% alcohol use 50% obesity 40% hpv 40%