WHO Says Nearly 40 Percent of Cancer Cases Can Be Prevented

The World Health Organization (WHO) says nearly four out of every ten new cancer cases worldwide could be avoided if people, governments, and health systems take stronger preventive action.

The assessment was released this week to mark World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, 2026, and is based on findings published in the journal Nature Medicine.
The study analyzes cancer data from 185 countries, covering 36 different cancer types.

According to the report, about 37 per cent of the 18.7 million new cases that were recorded globally in the year 2022 were raised to risk factors that can be applied.

These can be tobacco use, infections, and certain lifestyle and environmental exposures.
The WHO’s Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Health, Dr. Maria Neira, said many cancers are not curable.

“The evidence is very clear,” she said. “A large number of cancers, especially those involved in smoking, infections, and unhealthy environments, can be prevented.”

The report specifies tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer worldwide, responsible for about 15 percent of new cases. Diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori are also major contributors, together listed for roughly one in ten cases.

Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), said curable cancers continue to place a heavy burden on health systems.

“Cancers caused by smoking and infections still claim far too many lives,” she said. “Prevention works, and it needs to be treated as a priority.”

The report highlights cervical cancer as one of the most preventable cases, as it is largely caused by HPV, a virus for which effective vaccines are available.
Cancers linked to H. pylori infection, which can be reduced through hygiene, constant medical check-ups, and treatments, were also mentioned.

Experts say further access to vaccines, stronger tobacco control policies, and healthier environments could effectively reduce cancer cases worldwide.

The overall view also shows the clear differences across regions and between sexes. Among men, about 45 percent of cancer cases were linked to reduced risk factors, compared with around 30 percent among women.

Regional figures varied, with countries in East Asia, Latin America, North Africa, and West Asia showing different patterns depending on lifestyle, environment, and access to preventive care.

“These variations reflect differences in behavior, exposure, and health services,” Dr. Neira said. “That’s why preventive efforts must be learned from local realities.”

Call for Stronger Campaigns for Prevention Policies: The WHO is calling on governments to elaborate on the preventive measures, such as higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free public spaces, vaccination programs, and efforts to improve air quality.

According to health experts, investing in cancer prevention will not only save lives but also lower long-term costs. While cancer remains a major global health challenge, the WHO reports that sustained public health action and strong political commitment, as well as community participation, could prevent nearly 40% of cases.