Preventable Cancer Burden
Global study links five common infections to over two million cancer cases.
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A global analysis published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that infections caused about 2.3 million cancer cases in 2024—roughly 12% of diagnoses worldwide. Five pathogens account for most of the burden: Helicobacter pylori and HPV each contributed about 750,000 cases, with hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C also linked to cancers. Researchers say many of these cases are preventable through measures including vaccination, testing and treatment, safer injection practices, and access to prevention services. The burden is unevenly distributed: low- and middle-income countries accounted for about 77% of infection-related cases, and experts caution that the study’s estimate may be conservative. The findings also underscore the growing evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus to additional cancers.
Key Points
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Eastern Asia had the largest number of infection-linked cancers, with about 990,000 cases—42% of the global total—driven mainly by H. pylori and hepatitis B.
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Experts interviewed by Newsweek said the 12% estimate may understate the burden: Patrick Moore called it “very conservative,” while Karl Munger noted that other analyses have put infection-associated cancers at 15% to 20% globally.
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The researchers highlighted specific prevention steps that may be underused because of social, financial and political barriers, including improving HPV vaccine uptake, safer injection practices, access to condoms and HIV-prevention drugs such as PrEP, and early detection and treatment of cervical and anal cancer.
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Patrick Moore warned that cuts to HIV treatment following USAID’s disbanding could increase infection-related cancers in sub-Saharan Africa, while expanded newborn hepatitis B vaccination in Asia could help reduce liver cancers.
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