Nearly 40% of Cancer Cases Could Be Prevented, Global Study Finds
A recent study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Nature Medicine has revealed that about 38% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide in 2022 were tied to factors that people and societies can influence. This figure represents roughly 7.1 million of the 18.7 million global cases.
Researchers evaluated data from nearly 200 countries and matched cancer incidence with exposure to 30 modifiable risk factors. These risk factors can be influenced by individuals, governmental agencies, health systems, and more.
Learn more about the 2026 WHO cancer study and what it teaches us about preventable cancer risk factors today.
The Leading Causes: What You Can Change
The analysis identified tobacco use as the single largest preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 15% of new cases globally. Smoking remains the most powerful modifiable risk factor, contributing disproportionately to lung, throat, and other cancers. Alcohol consumption also contributes significantly, accounting for roughly 3% of global cancer cases and especially increasing risks for breast, liver, and colon cancers.
The study also highlights a link between infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and other bacterial agents and cancer. Per the 2026 WHO cancer study, infections were linked to roughly 10% of cases globally. Many of these infection-related cancers are strongly preventable through vaccination and improved public health measures.
Other modifiable cancer risks discussed in the study include excess body weight, poor diet, lack of physical activity, radiation exposure, and prolonged environmental pollution. Each of these is shown to increase the likelihood of a positive cancer diagnosis.
How Lifestyle Changes Translate to Prevention
In order for a cancer risk to be labeled as modifiable, it must have factors that can be influenced by an individual or a group of individuals. Unlike age or genetics, modifiable risks include the habits and conditions that health experts have long linked to cancer incidence.
The link between tobacco and cancer prevention has long been one of the most well-known in the world of cancer research. Lung cancer deaths alone could drop by a large margin if smoking were eliminated. Similarly, improved diet and regular physical activity are associated with lower risk across cancers of the breast, endometrium, colon, and several others.
Obesity has also been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Since there are multiple factors that impact obesity, including level of physical activity and dietary changes, some experts believe that this is one of the easiest factors to modify.
Vaccination also plays a major preventive role. HPV vaccines can prevent the majority of cervical cancers, and hepatitis B immunization significantly reduces liver cancer risk in high-burden regions.
Cancer Types With High Preventability
Certain cancers show particularly high links to preventable factors. Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers collectively account for a large share of the cases tied to modifiable risks. Tobacco, infections, and other environmental exposures are especially significant in these cancers.
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2026 WHO cancer study was the geographic variability. In parts of East Asia, for instance, a substantial proportion of lung cancers are attributable to air pollution combined with tobacco use, while cervical cancer continues to be preventable through improved HPV vaccination and screening efforts.
Why Prevention Matters More Than Ever
The potential implications of this study go beyond numbers. Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with access to affordable treatment being a serious issue. However, prevention is generally more affordable than treatment. The WHO estimates that prevention could avert millions of future cases and deaths through public health interventions targeting key risk factors.
Efforts combining tobacco control policies, obesity and alcohol reduction measures, vaccination programs, pollution reduction, and broader health awareness can significantly decrease future cancer burden. Globally, some regions already show how prevention and early detection can reduce mortality over time.
What You Can Do Today
Experts say that even simple lifestyle adjustments can have meaningful impacts on personal cancer risk. Adopting a smoke-free life, limiting alcohol intake, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight are universally recommended by organizations such as the WHO and the American Cancer Society.
Regular health screening and vaccinations, specifically HPV and hepatitis B, also contribute to reducing the risk of infection-linked cancers. Sun protection and minimizing exposure to known carcinogens can further complement preventive efforts.
While not every cancer risk can be impacted by behavioral changes, nearly 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable risk factors. Unlike many diseases that are driven primarily by genetics or unavoidable exposures, a significant portion of cancer risk can be impacted through conscious decisions.
Doctors, researchers, and other experts stress that these findings aren’t about placing blame, but about empowering people. Small changes, from quitting smoking to staying active, improving diet, getting vaccinated, and advocating for cleaner environments, can add up to major reductions in cancer incidence and deaths over time. While cancer is often viewed as an undefeatable foe, this latest study shows that prevention is possible by making healthier decisions.
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