40% of Cancers Preventable: Smoking a Key Factor | Netherlands & Global Studies
- Nearly 40% of new cancer cases worldwide are potentially preventable, according to a new analysis released today, February 3, 2026.
- Researchers found that approximately seven million cancer diagnoses in 2022 were linked to modifiable risk factors – those that can be changed, controlled, or managed.
- Tobacco smoking remains the leading contributor to worldwide cancer cases.
Nearly 40% of new cancer cases worldwide are potentially preventable, according to a new analysis released today, . The study, published in Nature Medicine and conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), examined data from 185 countries and 36 different cancer types.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Researchers found that approximately seven million cancer diagnoses in were linked to modifiable risk factors – those that can be changed, controlled, or managed. This represents roughly 37% of all new cancer cases that year. The findings underscore the potential for significant reductions in the global cancer burden through preventative measures.
Tobacco smoking remains the leading contributor to worldwide cancer cases. It is responsible for an estimated 15% of all new cases. Infections account for 10%, and alcohol consumption for 3%. The study highlights 30 modifiable risk factors including, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer.
Gender Differences in Preventable Cancer
The burden of preventable cancer differs between men and women. The analysis indicates that 45% of cancer cases in men are linked to preventable causes, compared to 30% in women. In men, smoking accounts for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections (9%) and alcohol (4%).
Specific Cancers Affected
Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers represent nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women. This suggests that targeted prevention strategies focused on these cancers could have a substantial impact.
The Growing Cancer Burden
Cancer continues to be a major cause of illness and death globally. Nearly 10 million deaths worldwide were attributable to cancer in , representing almost one in six deaths. Projections indicate a 50% increase in new cases by if current trends continue, emphasizing the urgency of effective prevention strategies.
Importance of Prevention
“By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start,” said Dr. André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and author of the study. Study co-author Hanna Fink, a cancer epidemiologist at the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, added that avoiding these risk factors is “one of the most powerful ways that we can potentially reduce the future cancer burden.”
Study Methodology
The study examined global case data from for 36 different cancers across 185 countries. Researchers combined this information with data from capturing people’s exposure to each risk factor. This allowed them to estimate the proportion of cases directly linked to each risk factor.
World Cancer Day
The findings were released ahead of World Cancer Day, observed annually on . This timing underscores the importance of raising awareness about cancer prevention and control.
Looking Ahead
While previous studies have estimated that around 44% of global cancer deaths can be attributed to avoidable or controllable causes, this new analysis focuses on the preventability of cancer cases, rather than deaths, and investigates a broader range of risk factors. This more comprehensive approach provides a more nuanced understanding of the potential for cancer prevention worldwide.