1 in 8 Cancer Cases Worldwide Linked to Infections, Study Finds
Summary
A study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that about one in eight new cancer cases worldwide in 2024 are linked to infections. The study highlights that many of these infection-caused cancers could be prevented through better infection control and vaccination.Key Facts
- In 2024, 12% (around 2.3 million) of new cancer cases globally are caused by infections.
- The five main infections linked to cancer are Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B (HBV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and hepatitis C (HCV).
- H. pylori is related to about 760,000 cancer cases, mainly stomach cancer.
- HPV causes around 750,000 cases, mostly cervical and other genital cancers.
- HBV and HCV mainly cause liver cancer, with 360,000 and 160,000 cases respectively.
- Cancer linked to infections is highest in Eastern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and South-East Asia.
- Differences in infection-related cancer rates are due to how common infections are, access to treatments, and social and economic factors.
- Experts say many infection-related cancers are preventable by vaccines and better infection control.
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