Preventable cancers: report says seven million cases a year

A global report published in Nature Medicine estimates about seven million cancers a year are preventable and shows wide regional and sex differences in causes, with smoking and infections prominent in different settings.

A new global analysis published in Nature Medicine estimates that about seven million cancers each year are linked to preventable causes. The study includes, for the first time in this scope, infectious causes alongside behavioural, environmental and occupational risks. Officials involved described the findings as a clearer picture of where prevention could reduce the cancer burden. The report also notes that the mix of causes varies substantially by sex and region. Key findings: - The analysis estimates roughly seven million preventable cancer cases per year worldwide. - There is a sex divide: the report finds about 45% of men's cancers are preventable compared with about 30% in women, with higher smoking rates among men cited as a factor. - Regional differences are large: in Europe the top preventable causes for women are smoking, infections and obesity, while in sub‑Saharan Africa infections account for nearly 80% of preventable cancers in women. - Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together make up nearly half of all preventable cases reported. Summary: The report identifies major, differing drivers of preventable cancer across regions and between sexes, and highlights infectious causes in addition to behavioural and environmental risks. Officials said addressing these causes offers a significant opportunity to reduce cancer burden; specific policy actions are undetermined at this time.