Global Cancer Risks Highlight Importance of Preventable Infections

WHO:

CNN - Gary Clifford, senior author and epidemiologist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, stated, “We can intervene before it gets anywhere near cancer.”

CNN - Harriet Rumgay, epidemiologist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, mentioned, “Highly effective prevention measures already exist for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer, as well as for HIV.”

CNN - Gary Clifford, senior author and epidemiologist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, emphasized the need for public awareness and political support for cancer prevention programs.

CNN - Harriet Rumgay, epidemiologist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, noted that effective prevention measures exist for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer.

CNN - About 1 in 8 cancer cases worldwide are tied to infections, many of which are preventable.

WHAT:

CNN - The new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that roughly 1 in 8 cancer cases around the world may be linked to infections, many of which can be prevented through vaccines, screening, or relatively straightforward treatments.

CNN - The study revealed that two infections, Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV), together accounted for more than 1.5 million cancer cases in 2024.

CNN - The new analysis incorporated 16 additional infection-cancer pairs compared to the previous 2018 global analysis, including some cancers paired with EBV.

CNN - The research indicates that low-income and middle-income countries accounted for 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases.

CNN - The study found that about 2.3 million new cancer cases were attributable to infections globally in 2024, which is equivalent to 12% of all cancer diagnoses.

CNN - The new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that two infections, Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV), together accounted for more than 1.5 million cancer cases in 2024.

CNN - The study incorporated 16 additional infection-cancer pairs compared to the previous 2018 global analysis.

CNN - The study incorporated 16 additional infection-cancer pairs compared to the previous 2018 global analysis, including some cancers paired with EBV.

CNN - The new research revealed that low-income and middle-income countries accounted for 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases.

CNN - The new study published in The Lancet Oncology incorporated 16 additional infection-cancer pairs compared to the previous 2018 global analysis.

CNN - The study found that low-income and middle-income countries accounted for 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases.

CNN - The research revealed that the burden of infection-related cancers is not evenly distributed, with some populations in the United States having higher rates of infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HPV, or H. pylori.

CNN - About 2.3 million new cancer cases were attributable to infections globally in 2024, which is equivalent to 12% of all cancer diagnoses.

CNN - Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV) together accounted for more than 1.5 million cancer cases in 2024.

CNN - In 2019, 3.4% of all cancers among adults 30 and older in the United States, which was about 60,310 cases, were attributable to seven infections evaluated: EBV, H. pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, HIV, and HPV.

CNN - Approximately 1.5 million cancer cases annually are linked to infections.

CNN - The infections responsible for these cancer cases include human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses, and Helicobacter pylori.

CNN - The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.2 million cancer cases could be prevented each year through vaccination and screening.

WHERE:

CNN - The burden of infection-related cancers is not evenly distributed globally, with low-income and middle-income countries accounting for 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases.

CNN - The findings are relevant globally, affecting cancer cases in various countries.

WHEN:

CNN - The WHO's report highlights the importance of addressing these preventable infections in the coming years to reduce cancer incidence.

WHY:

CNN - The report emphasizes that many cancers caused by infections can be prevented through vaccination and early detection.

HOW:

CNN - Prevention efforts can include vaccination and, when appropriate, testing for and treating infections that increase cancer risk.

CNN - Prevention efforts can include safe injection practices, condom use, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, which could prevent hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of future cancer cases worldwide.

CNN - The study emphasizes that effective prevention measures already exist for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer, as well as for HIV.

CNN - Prevention efforts can include vaccination and, when appropriate, testing for and treating infections that increase cancer risk.

CNN - Vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, along with screening for hepatitis C and treatment for Helicobacter pylori, are methods suggested to reduce infection-related cancer cases.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 19:59 UTC)

A new study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that approximately 1 in 8 cancer cases worldwide may be linked to infections, many of which could be prevented through vaccines and screening. The research highlights that in 2024, two infections, Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus, were responsible for over 1.5 million cancer cases, with low-income and middle-income countries accounting for 77% of these infection-attributable cases. Overall, the study found that around 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024 were attributable to infections, representing 12% of all cancer diagnoses.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 16:01 UTC)

A new study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that two infections, Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus, are responsible for over 1.5 million cancer cases in 2024. Epidemiologists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer emphasize that effective prevention measures already exist for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer, along with HIV, and that intervention can happen before cancer develops. The study highlights that low-income and middle-income countries bear a disproportionate burden, accounting for 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases, underscoring the need for vaccination and treatment efforts.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 14:03 UTC)

A new study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer highlights the urgent need for public awareness and political support for cancer prevention programs, as emphasized by epidemiologist Gary Clifford. The research found that low-income and middle-income countries are responsible for a staggering 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases and identified effective prevention measures for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer. These measures, which include safe injection practices, condom use, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, have the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of future cancer cases worldwide.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 10:02 UTC)

A new study published in The Lancet Oncology has expanded its analysis by incorporating 16 additional infection-cancer pairs compared to a previous global study from 2018. The research highlights that low-income and middle-income countries are responsible for a staggering 77% of all infection-attributable cancer cases, while certain populations in the United States show higher rates of infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HPV, and H. pylori. Importantly, the study points out that effective prevention measures are already available for four of the five leading infectious causes of cancer, along with HIV.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 02:11 UTC)

In 2024, approximately 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide were linked to infections, representing about 12% of all cancer diagnoses. Notably, Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus, or HPV, were responsible for over 1.5 million of these cases. To combat this issue, prevention strategies such as vaccination and appropriate testing and treatment for these infections are essential.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 01:30 UTC)

A new report from the World Health Organization reveals that about one in eight cancer cases worldwide are linked to infections, with approximately 1.5 million cases each year tied to preventable infections like human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori. The WHO estimates that 2.2 million cancer cases could be prevented annually through vaccination and screening, highlighting the urgent need to address these infections in the coming years. To combat this issue, the report suggests that vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, along with screening for hepatitis C and treatment for Helicobacter pylori, could significantly reduce the incidence of infection-related cancers.