Lifestyle factors account for about four in 10 new cancer cases, WHO-led study finds

A global analysis of 18.7 million cases found that 37.8% of new cancers were linked to 30 modifiable risks, with tobacco, infections and alcohol among the largest contributors.

A World Health Organization agency led a global analysis of 18.7 million new cancer cases across 185 countries and 36 cancer types. The study reported that 37.8% of new cancers were associated with 30 modifiable risk factors. The agency said the findings point to preventable components of the global cancer burden. Key findings: - The study attributed 37.8% of new cancers to modifiable risks identified across 30 factors. - Tobacco was the largest single contributor (15.1% of cases), followed by infections (10.2%) and alcohol (3.2%). - Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of preventable cases, and the preventable proportion was higher in men (45.4%) than in women (about 30%). Summary: The WHO agency stated the results underscore the value of context-specific prevention strategies, and it cited measures such as tobacco control, alcohol regulation, vaccination against cancer-causing infections, and improvements to air quality and workplace safety as examples. Undetermined at this time.