As part of the analysis, the impact of 30 preventable risk factors was assessed. These factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, high body weight, low physical activity, environmental pollution, and exposure to ultraviolet light.
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Experts estimate that in 2022, about 7.1 million new cancer cases, which account for 37%, were linked to avoidable factors. The authors of the study note that this data highlights the enormous potential for prevention in reducing the global disease burden.
Smoking ranks first among preventable causes of cancer, accounting for 15% of all new cases. In second place are infections, causing 10% of new diagnoses, while alcohol consumption ranks third, responsible for 3% of cases.
Almost half of the preventable cancer cases are associated with just three types: lung cancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer.
The main cause of lung cancer is smoking and air pollution, while stomach cancer is linked to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer is associated with the human papillomavirus.
The analysis also revealed significant differences by gender. Among men, preventable factors account for 45% of new cancer cases, while among women, this figure is 30%.
The main risk factors for men include smoking, infections, and alcohol, while for women, they are infections, smoking, and high body mass index.
Regional differences also play an important role. For women, the share of preventable cases ranged from 24% in North Africa and Western Asia to 38% in countries south of the Sahara. For men, this figure varied from 28% in Latin America to 57% in East Asia. These differences are due to the level of exposure to environmental, behavioral, and infectious factors, as well as differences in socio-economic development and healthcare systems.
The authors of the study emphasize the importance of developing effective prevention strategies that should take local conditions into account and include control over the sale of tobacco and alcohol, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, improving air quality, workplace safety, as well as creating conditions for healthy eating and physical activity.
