“We now have the information to prevent cancer before it starts,” stated Isabelle Soerjomataram, a cancer surveillance expert at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In a press conference last week, Soerjomataram, along with her colleague Andre Ilbawi, shared details from a study that examined 36 types of cancer across 185 countries. They co-authored research that was published in the medical journal Nature Medicine on February 3, 2026.
The study kicks off with a striking statistic: 7.1 million new cancer cases were attributed to modifiable risk factors (MRFs), such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, alongside various infections. This represents 37.8% of the total 18.7 million new cancer cases reported in 2022.
Research on MRFs isn’t exactly new; they’ve long been recognized for their link to cancer, including factors like obesity, air pollution, and environmental toxins. However, the ability to claim “preventing cancer before it starts” relies heavily on broader issues, such as access to healthcare, which varies significantly worldwide.
This study does shed light on the impacts of MRFs, noting that their effects can differ by region and gender.
The authors evaluated 30 MRFs, including tobacco and alcohol use, air pollution, and occupational exposure to harmful substances like asbestos. They also considered:
- A high body mass index (BMI)
- Insufficient physical activity
- Smokeless tobacco and areca nut
- Certain breastfeeding practices
- Ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
Notably, this study is the first to include infectious agents like hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) as MRFs.
HPV-related cancers remain prevalent in specific regions
Cancers caused by HPV account for a significant portion of preventable cancers in women globally. This is particularly concerning despite the availability of effective vaccines against cervical cancer. Ilbawi pointed out, “Vaccine hesitancy is very real.”
“In higher-income nations, like Australia, cervical cancer rates are low—around 5 cases per 100,000,” noted Soerjomataram.
However, she added, “Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa are facing serious issues with high rates of HPV-related cancers, especially cervical cancer.”
In Latin America, over 63,000 cases of cervical cancer were recorded in 2022, leading to more than 30,000 deaths.
Maria Paula Curado, an epidemiologist from A.C. Carmargo Cancer Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, remarked that high mortality rates from cervical cancer are linked to limited access to vaccination and early treatment options for women in the region.
She noted there might also be vaccine hesitancy, stemming from a general lack of awareness about cervical cancer’s aggressiveness. Curado also mentioned some families believe getting the HPV vaccine could encourage early sexual activity, which is a concern for some.
In several parts of southern Brazil, vaccine coverage stands at about 67%, but Curado emphasized that ideally, it should be around 80%.
New perspectives on preventable cancers
The inclusion of infectious agents in the research has provided fresh insights into how cancers impact women differently than men. Researchers hope this will enhance cancer prevention strategies.
Infections were linked to the highest number of preventable cancers among women, totaling about 2.7 million cases (29.7%). Conversely, behavioral factors, such as tobacco use, accounted for 4.3 million cases (45.4%) among men.
Delving into lung cancer statistics, one of the most common cancers diagnosed in both genders, reveals a somewhat similar burden of MRFs but different impacts: 1,326,453 lung cancer cases were among men, while women’s cases were notably lower, at 477,869.
The need for targeted interventions in cancer prevention
With predictions of a 50% increase in cancer cases by 2045, the researchers emphasized the pressing need for effective prevention strategies, arguing that targeted interventions could prevent many cases.
Interestingly, they mentioned that 62.2% of cancer cases cannot be linked to preventable MRFs.
“As our population ages, we’re seeing rare cancers emerging, with unclear causes and no standard treatments,” noted Curado.
Suzette Delaloge, a specialist in breast cancer and prevention at Gustave Roussy, described the study as a significant advancement in approaching cancer prevention globally through data-informed strategies.
She added that while geographic, social, economic, and cultural factors play major roles, individual actions are also crucial in alleviating the impact of cancer.
The researchers stressed that future cancer prevention strategies must address differences between women and men, alongside varied social and economic situations across different regions.
