Preventable Infections Caused 2.3 Million Global Cancer Cases in 2024

2026-09-30 global

Geneva, Thursday, 1 October 2026.
A landmark global study reveals that preventable infections caused 12% of all 2024 cancer diagnoses, with a single bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, responsible for 760,000 new cases.

Study Methodology and Global Scope

The findings originate from a comprehensive analysis published in late September 2026 in The Lancet Oncology, conducted by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer [1][5]. Utilizing data from the Global Cancer Observatory’s Cancer Today database, the study examined cancer incidence specifically for the year 2024 [1]. The authors estimated the number of cancers caused by 12 pathogens classified as group 1 carcinogens, expanding on previous methodologies to include 16 additional causal infection–cancer type pairs compared to 2018 estimates [5]. This rigorous approach allows for a more accurate assessment of the preventable burden of disease attributable to infectious agents [2].

Quantifying the Preventable Burden

The study estimates that 2.3 million new cancer cases globally were attributable to infections in 2024, representing a significant portion of the total cancer incidence [5]. With the global cancer burden projected at approximately 20 million new cases in 2024, infection-related cases account for 11.5 percent of all diagnoses [5]. This proportion underscores the critical role of infection control in achieving broader cancer prevention goals, as highlighted by the study authors [1]. The data indicates that infectious agents are the leading modifiable risk factor for cancer among women in 141 countries and men in 58 countries [5].

Primary Infectious Drivers

Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV) were identified as the leading drivers, each responsible for 4% of all global cancer cases in 2024 [1]. Specifically, H. pylori was linked to 760,000 new cases, primarily manifesting as stomach cancer, while HPV caused nearly 750,000 cases, including cervical and throat cancers [3][5]. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contributed 360,000 cases, representing 2% of the total, while the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was linked to 260,000 cases or 1% of the global burden [5]. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounted for 160,000 cases, contributing less than 1% to the total incidence [5].

Regional Disparities and Equity

Geographic analysis reveals that low- and middle-income countries reported three-quarters of all infectious disease–related cancers [1]. Eastern Asia carried the largest infection-attributable cancer burden with 990,000 cases, constituting 42% of the global total [5]. Sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest population-attributable fraction at 25%, driven by high rates of HIV and HPV-related cancers [5]. These disparities highlight that global and local prevention efforts are a question of equity and should be considered in the promotion of universal prevention strategies [1].

Vaccination and Prevention Strategies

Vaccines exist for HPV and HBV and have been shown to reduce cancer incidence, yet coverage remains uneven globally [1]. For instance, Australia’s HPV vaccination program initiated in 2007 reduced HPV infections by 90% among eligible populations, positioning the country to potentially eliminate cervical cancer by 2035 [2]. However, vaccination coverage for 15-year-olds in Australia declined from 85.7% in 2020 to 79.5% in 2024, falling short of the 90% target required for herd immunity [2]. The authors urge the development of new vaccines for other infectious agents, such as EBV and H. pylori, to further reduce the number of cancers caused by these pathogens [1].

Future Projections and Policy Mandates

The global cancer burden is projected to rise from 20 million new cases in 2024 to 35 million in 2050 primarily due to population aging [5]. To counter this, scientifically proven but often underused approaches include testing and treatment of HIV, H. pylori, HBV, and HCV, alongside safe injection practices [5]. The 2025 WHO approval of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis using lenacapavir is identified as a critical strategy for primary prevention of HIV and subsequent HIV-attributable cancers [5]. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the need to invest in new prevention tools and scale up proven interventions to mitigate the rising tide of infection-related malignancies [5].

Sources

Global Health Economics Oncology Markets