IARC Study Links 12 Percent of Worldwide Cancer Cases to Infections
- New data reveal that infections caused approximately 2.3 million new tumor diagnoses in 2024, accounting for roughly 12 percent of all new cancer cases worldwide.
- The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori stood in connection with about 760,000 cancer diagnoses in 2024, making it the leading infectious cause globally, according to WELT.
- The impact of individual pathogens varies widely by geography, with low- and middle-income nations accounting for more than 77 percent of all infection-linked cancer cases, WELT reported.
New data reveal that infections caused approximately 2.3 million new tumor diagnoses in 2024, accounting for roughly 12 percent of all new cancer cases worldwide. The international study, conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon and published in the journal The Lancet Oncology, evaluated twelve specific pathogens classified as definitely carcinogenic. Researchers found that nearly all of these infektionsbedingten cases stem from just five primary agents, highlighting a major public health target for prevention.
Five Pathogens Drive Global Infestation Tumors
The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori stood in connection with about 760,000 cancer diagnoses in 2024, making it the leading infectious cause globally, according to WELT. Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) followed closely, linked to approximately 750,000 cases, with types 16 and 18 responsible for about three-quarters of those instances. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) accounted for 360,000 new tumor diagnoses, while Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) contributed 260,000 cases, and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was linked to 160,000 diagnoses.
Low-Income Nations Account for Most Infection-Linked Cancers
The impact of individual pathogens varies widely by geography, with low- and middle-income nations accounting for more than 77 percent of all infection-linked cancer cases, WELT reported.
HPV and Helicobacter Pylori Drive German Cancer Cases
In Western Europe, about 5 percent of new cancer cases in 2024 originated from the investigated pathogens, while Germany recorded 29,000 such diagnoses, WELT reported. The vast majority of Germany’s infektionsbedingte tumors are caused by HPV, which triggered 11,000 cases, and Helicobacter pylori, responsible for 9,700 cases. Ute Mons from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg told WELT that these figures are plausible, emphasizing that HPV remains practically responsible for all cervical cancer cases and major anogenital tumors.
Divergent Outlets Contrast Prevention Strategies
While WELT and the Berliner Kurier emphasized that a large share of cases can be addressed through targeted screenings, antibiotic treatments for Helicobacter pylori, and direct antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C, FITBOOK focused heavily on individual lifestyle risks. FITBOOK pointed out that people often focus exclusively on diet, smoking, and exercise while overlooking infectious risks.
Expanded Screening and Vaccination Goals for 2050
The IARC research team advises implementing stronger protective measures, including expanded screening, therapeutic treatments, and comprehensive vaccination campaigns, WELT reported. These interventions carry mounting urgency as demographic aging is expected to drive global cancer diagnoses from roughly 20 million annually up to 35 million cases by the year 2050.