It’s easy to feel powerless when it comes to cancer. The disease often seems like a genetic roll of the dice, something that strikes without rhyme or reason. But a comprehensive analysis suggests you have more control over your risk than you might think.
According to a recent analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a third of all cancer cases worldwide are preventable. That means millions of diagnoses each year could be avoided through lifestyle changes, medical interventions and environmental improvements.
The WHO report paints a grim picture of global healthcare. In 2022 alone, there were almost 19 million new cases of cancer worldwide. About 37% of these – about 7.1 million cases – were related to modifiable risk factors. While the study identified thirty different risk factors – ranging from air pollution to a high body mass index – three specific factors stood out above the rest. Two of these are adaptable through behavioral changes.
“Tackling these preventable causes is one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden,” said Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Chief of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study.
Tobacco smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer. The WHO found that smoking was linked to 15% of all cancer cases worldwide by 2022. The risk is even greater for men, with smoking contributing to almost 23% of all new cancer cases in men that year.
Although lung cancer is the most obvious consequence, tobacco use is also strongly linked to stomach and other cancers. Despite decades of public health warnings, this habit remains the main barrier to a cancer-free future for millions of people.
Infections are the second leading preventable cause of cancer overall, responsible for 10% of new cases worldwide. In women, a large proportion of preventable cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which drives the rate of cervical cancer. Meanwhile, stomach cancer is largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infections.
The third most important preventable factor identified in the analysis was another modifiable factor: alcohol consumption. The WHO attributes 3% of all new cancer cases worldwide to alcohol consumption.
Although many people primarily associate alcohol with liver damage, the link with cancer is strong. The data suggests that even moderate consumption can contribute to the risk, reinforcing the idea that cutting back — or quitting altogether — is a tangible way to protect your health.
The result of this data is not to live in fear, but to recognize the opportunity for action. The figures show that almost half of preventable cases consist of lung, stomach and cervical cancer. These are areas where behavioral changes can make a big difference.
You have no control over your genetics or every environmental factor you encounter. But by controlling the habits that are within your power to change – like taking your daily steps – you can significantly tilt the odds in your favor.
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