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Five Infections Linked to Nearly One in Eight Cancers
Some infections can make it more likely for a person to get certain cancers, especially when they stay in the body for a long time.
A 2024 analysis linked five infections to nearly one in eight cancer cases around the world.
They include H. pylori, HPV, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C. Most people with these infections do not necessarily get cancer.
Some infections can harm cells over time or make it harder for the body to control how cells grow.
Vaccines can help prevent some of these infections, and tests and treatments can help with others.
There is no licensed vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus or an approved vaccine for hepatitis C, but hepatitis C can often be cured with medicines.
Many infection-linked cancer cases happen in countries where prevention, testing and treatment are less accessible.
A Lancet Oncology analysis estimated that five infections were linked to nearly one in eight cancer cases worldwide in 2024.
The infections are Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C virus.
Estimated cancer cases linked to each were 760,000 for H. pylori, 750,000 for HPV, 360,000 for hepatitis B, 260,000 for EBV and 160,000 for hepatitis C.
Persistent infection can contribute to cancer through long-term inflammation, liver damage or changes to cell growth; infection does not mean a person will develop cancer.
An estimated 77% of infection-attributable cancer cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries, while sub-Saharan Africa had the highest share of cancers linked to infections.
- Who
- People worldwide; the analysis was conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- What
- An analysis linked five infections to nearly one in eight cancer cases worldwide.
- Where
- Worldwide, with 77% of infection-attributable cases in low- and middle-income countries.
- When
- The estimates refer to cancer cases in 2024; the findings were published in The Lancet Oncology.
- Why
- Persistent infections can cause inflammation, organ damage or changes in cell growth that increase cancer risk.
Key facts
- Global share
- Nearly one in eight cancer cases worldwide was linked to infections.
- H. pylori
- Estimated 760,000 cancer cases in 2024.
- HPV
- Estimated 750,000 cancer cases in 2024.
- Hepatitis B
- Estimated 360,000 cancer cases in 2024.
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Estimated 260,000 cancer cases in 2024.
- Hepatitis C
- Estimated 160,000 cancer cases in 2024.
- Regional distribution
- 77% of infection-attributable cancer cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
- Highest regional proportion
- Around one in four new cancer cases in sub-Saharan Africa were linked to infections.
Sources
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