Health · Medical Research · 5 hrs ago
WHO says 38% of cancer cases could be prevented
The World Health Organization says about 38% of cancer cases could be prevented using measures already supported by evidence.
Cancer caused nearly 10 million deaths worldwide in 2024, making it a leading cause of death.
The risks include tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and air pollution.
Infections such as HPV and hepatitis also cause some cancers, and their share is higher in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO says prevention includes avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, staying active, reducing exposure to pollution and getting recommended vaccines.
Screening and early diagnosis can help detect cancer sooner, and WHO says many cancers can be cured when found early and treated effectively.
The World Health Organization says about 38 percent of cancer cases could be prevented using known risk-reduction measures.
Cancer caused nearly 10 million deaths worldwide in 2024, or nearly one in six deaths globally, according to WHO.
WHO identifies factors including tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, infections and air pollution as contributors to preventable cancer.
Carcinogenic infections accounted for about 10 percent of cancers diagnosed in 2022, WHO says.
WHO recommends measures including avoiding tobacco, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B when recommended, and reducing exposure to air pollution.
- Who
- The World Health Organization (WHO).
- What
- WHO says approximately 38 percent of cancer cases could be prevented through existing evidence-based measures.
- When
- WHO made the claim in a report in July 2026.
- Where
- Worldwide.
- Why
- Many cancers are linked to preventable risk factors, including tobacco, alcohol, infections and air pollution.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 10 percent of cancers diagnosed that year were attributed to carcinogenic infections, WHO said.
Cancer caused nearly 10 million deaths worldwide, according to WHO.
WHO reported that approximately 38 percent of cancers could currently be prevented.
- Preventable share
- Approximately 38 percent of cancers
- Cancer deaths
- Nearly 10 million worldwide in 2024
- Share of global deaths
- Nearly one in six in 2024
- Infections
- About 10 percent of cancers diagnosed in 2022 were attributed to carcinogenic infections
- Children and adolescents
- About 400,000 develop cancer each year, up to age 19
What people are saying
approximately 38 percent of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide