A global analysis released this week by the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that up to four in every ten new cancer cases could be prevented through changes in behaviour, stronger policies, and public health action.
The findings, published to coincide with World Cancer Day on February 4, 2026, draw on a Nature Medicine study that analysed data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types.
According to the report, about 37% of the 18.7 million new cancer cases in 2022 were linked to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, infections, and lifestyle exposures.
“The science is clear,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health. “A large portion of cancers — particularly those related to tobacco, infections and unhealthy environments — are not inevitable. They are preventable.”