More than a third of new cancer cases worldwide are linked to risk factors that can be addressed through prevention, behavioral changes, medical interventions, and environmental policies, according to a WHO analysis published in Science Alert.
According to the analysis, nearly 19 million new cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2022, of which about 38% were linked to 30 modifiable risk factors. These include smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, insufficient physical activity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, certain infections, and occupational exposure to harmful substances.
Tobacco remains the leading preventable risk factor. Smoking was associated with approximately 15% of all new cancer cases in 2022. Among men, this figure was even higher: nearly one in four new cancer cases could be linked to smoking.
Alcohol consumption was the second most significant behavioral risk factor. Alcohol was associated with 3.2% of all new cancer cases, or approximately 700,000 diagnoses. Together, smoking and alcohol constitute the largest group of preventable cancer risks.
The authors of the analysis emphasize that this is not about a complete guarantee of preventing the disease, but about reducing the likelihood of its development. Cancer remains a complex group of diseases influenced by age, heredity, infections, the environment, and random biological processes. However, the proportion of factors related to lifestyle and the environment shows that prevention can be of great importance for public health.
The study pays particular attention to air pollution. In East Asia, about 15% of lung cancer cases in women are attributed specifically to air pollution, while in North Africa and West Asia, this figure reaches about 20% among men. This demonstrates that cancer prevention cannot be limited to individual habits alone—public policy, air quality, working conditions, and health regulations are also crucial.
Among preventable infectious factors, the human papillomavirus plays a significant role, as it can lead to cervical cancer. Therefore, vaccination, screening, and early diagnosis remain key tools for prevention, alongside quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
