Up to four in 10 cancer cases globally could be prevented, new analysis has revealed, highlighting the need for stronger tobacco control and other measures to reduce risks and save lives.

A flood of questions drowned Jeanette in thought after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Would she be unable to conceive a child? Would she have to enter menopause at the early age of 31?

Thestudyby theUNWorld Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)looksat30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, airpollutionand ultraviolet radiation.

Nine cancer-causing infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) which cancausecervical cancer also are included for the first time.

Examining patternsfor prevention

Cancerremainsa leading cause ofmorbidity,responsiblefornearly 10 million deathsworldwidein 2020, ornearly onein six.

Projectionspoint to a50per centincrease in new cases by 2040 if current trendscontinue, underscoringthe urgent need for effective prevention strategies.

The studywas released ahead of World Cancer Day,observedannually on 4 February.

The findings drawondata from 185 countries and 36 cancer types.Estimates show that37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022, around 7.1 million, were linked to preventable causes.

By examining patterns across countries and population groups,we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer casesbefore they start, said Dr.AndrIlbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Controland author of the study.

Tobacco top cause

Tobaccoisthe leading preventable cause of cancer,responsible for 15 per centof all new cases, followed by infections(10 per cent)and alcohol consumption(3 per cent).

Lung,stomachand cervical cancerrepresentednearly halfof all preventable cases in both men and women.

Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, while stomach cancer waslargely attributabletoinfection. Cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by HPV.

Differences among menandwomen

Theburden of preventable cancer wassubstantially higherin men than in women. Among new cancer cases, 45 per cent occur in men compared with 30 per cent in women.

In men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23per centof all newcancercases, followed by infections(9per cent)and alcohol(4per cent).

Among women, infections accounted for 11per centof all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6per centand high body mass index at 3per cent.

Regional picture, risk factors

Preventable cancersalsovaried widely betweenthe worldsregions.

Among women,theyranged from24per centin North Africa and West Asia,to 38per centin sub-Saharan Africa.

Among men,East Asiaaccounted for the highest burdenat 57per cent,whilethelowestincidence was foundin Latin America and the Caribbean at 28per cent.

These differencesarelargely duetovarying exposure tobehavioral, environmental,occupationaland infectious risk factors, as well as differences insocioeconomic development, national prevention policies, and health system capacity.

Prevention strategies

Thereportemphasised the need forcontext-specific prevention strategies such asstrong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation,andvaccinationagainst HPV andother cancer-causing infectionssuch ashepatitis B.

Improved air quality, safer workplaces, healthier food andpromotingphysical activityare also important.

Furthermore,coordinated actionacross sectors, from health and education to energy, transport and labour, can prevent millions of families from experiencing the burden of a cancer diagnosis,WHOsaid.

The UN agencystressed that addressing preventable risk factors not only reduces cancer incidence but also lowers long-term healthcare costs and improves population health and well-being.

Listen to an interview with WHO Kenya about the national action plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030: