Study Finds About One Eighth of Global Cancer Cases Linked to Preventable Infections
Research published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that roughly 12% of cancers worldwide in 2024 were attributable to infections, many of which can be prevented or treated through vaccination, screening and therapy.
A new analysis published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that around 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 – about one in eight globally – were linked to infectious agents. The study, led by epidemiologist Gary Clifford of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, highlights that most of these infections are preventable or treatable.
Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus together accounted for more than 1.5 million of the infection-related cases, primarily gastric and cervical cancers respectively. Additional contributors included hepatitis B (≈360,000 cases, mostly liver cancer), Epstein-Barr virus (≈260,000 cases, largely nasopharyngeal carcinoma), and hepatitis C (≈160,000 cases, also liver cancer).
"We can intervene before it gets anywhere near cancer," Clifford said, emphasizing the need for political commitment, funding and public awareness to implement prevention programs.
The researchers used data from the Global Cancer Observatory to assess infection-attributable cancer burden, adding 16 new infection-cancer pairs to a previous 2018 analysis. They noted that low- and middle-income countries bore 77% of infection-related cases, reflecting disparities in infection prevalence and access to preventive measures.
Epidemiologist Harriet Rumgay, also a study author, pointed out that effective vaccines exist for HPV and hepatitis B, while testing and treatment are available for H. pylori and hepatitis C. She added that similar preventive tools exist for HIV.
Experts not involved in the study said the findings underscore existing opportunities for cancer reduction. Veronika Fedirko of MD Anderson Cancer Center noted that infection-related cancers also occur in the United States, with about 3.4% of adult cancers in 2019 linked to seven infections, the largest share from HPV.
The report stresses that infection alone does not guarantee cancer; risk increases when infections persist and combine with other factors such as age, immune status and lifestyle. Prevention strategies include vaccination, screening, safe injection practices, condom use and, where appropriate, antiviral or antibiotic treatment.
"The public needs to be made aware and vaccination should be reinforced," said Nancy Lee, a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The authors conclude that scaling up proven preventive measures could avert hundreds of thousands of cancer cases each year worldwide.