Preventable Infections Cause One in Eight New Cancer Cases Worldwide
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Preventable Infections Cause One in Eight New Cancer Cases Worldwide
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Preventable Infections Cause 1 in 8 New Cancer Cases
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Preventable infections cause 2.3 million new cancer cases each year. Learn how H. pylori, HPV, hepatitis viruses and prevention can reduce the risk.
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| Preventable Infections Cause One in Eight New Cancer Cases Worldwide |
Introduction
Preventable infections cause around 2.3 million new cancer cases every year, accounting for approximately one in eight new cancer cases worldwide. New estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, highlight the major role that infectious diseases continue to play in the global cancer burden.
The analysis estimated cancer cases in 2024 linked to 12 infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. The findings also reveal major geographical inequalities, with East Asia accounting for 42% of infection-related cancer cases and more than three-quarters occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Points
2.3 million cancer cases were linked to infections in 2024.
H. pylori was associated with about 760,000 cases.
HPV was responsible for approximately 750,000 cases.
Hepatitis B and C viruses also contributed substantially.
East Asia accounted for 42% of infection-related cancer cases.
More than three-quarters occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Vaccination, screening and treatment can prevent many infection-related cancers.
How Many Cancer Cases Are Caused by Infections?
A major IARC cancer study estimates that approximately 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 were associated with 12 infectious agents.
What Does One in Eight Mean?
The figure means that roughly one out of every eight new cancer diagnoses globally was linked to an infection.
This makes infectious diseases an important target for cancer prevention, particularly because several of the underlying infections can be prevented, detected or treated.
H. Pylori Is the Leading Infectious Cause
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, commonly called H. pylori or stomach bacteria, topped the list.
It was associated with approximately 760,000 cancer cases in 2024, making it the leading infectious contributor to cancer worldwide.
How Is H. Pylori Linked to Cancer?
Long-term infection with H. pylori can cause chronic inflammation in the stomach and is strongly associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Detection and appropriate treatment of the infection are therefore important components of prevention.
HPV Is Close Behind
Human papillomavirus (HPV) ranked second, accounting for approximately 750,000 cancer cases.
HPV is a common viral infection and is associated with several cancers, particularly cervical cancer, as well as cancers affecting other anatomical sites.
HPV Vaccination and Cancer Prevention
HPV vaccination is one of the established strategies for reducing the risk of HPV-related cancers. Screening programs can also help detect precancerous changes before they develop into invasive cancer.
Hepatitis B and Cancer
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was associated with approximately 360,000 cancer cases.
Chronic hepatitis B infection can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer.
The Role of Hepatitis B Vaccination
The hepatitis B vaccine is an important preventive measure, particularly when vaccination programs achieve broad population coverage.
Epstein-Barr Virus and Cancer
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was associated with approximately 260,000 cancer cases.
Researchers have increasingly recognized its relationship with several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer, certain lymphomas and some stomach cancers.
“The picture of infection-related cancers continues to change as scientific knowledge advances.”
— Gary Clifford, one of the study's lead authors
Hepatitis C and Cancer
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was associated with around 160,000 cancer cases.
Unlike hepatitis B, there is currently no widely used preventive vaccine for hepatitis C, making testing, diagnosis and effective treatment particularly important.
Five Major Infectious Contributors
The five leading infectious agents identified in the estimates were:
H. pylori — about 760,000 cases.
HPV — about 750,000 cases.
Hepatitis B virus — about 360,000 cases.
Epstein-Barr virus — about 260,000 cases.
Hepatitis C virus — about 160,000 cases.
Together, these infections accounted for the overwhelming majority of infection-related cancer cases.
Major Geographic Differences
The global burden is not distributed evenly.
East Asia
East Asia accounted for approximately 42% of infection-related cancer cases worldwide. H. pylori and hepatitis B were major contributors in the region.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 28.5% of cases, with HPV and the virus associated with Kaposi sarcoma among important contributors.
Why Low-Income Countries Are More Affected
More than three-quarters of infection-related cancer cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Differences in access to vaccination, screening, diagnostic testing, treatment and healthcare infrastructure can contribute to these disparities.
Proven Cancer Prevention Strategies
Several scientifically established measures can reduce infection-related cancer risk:
HPV vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination
H. pylori detection and treatment
Hepatitis B and C testing and treatment
HIV prevention and treatment
Access to condoms and safer-sex measures
Cancer screening programs
The Importance of Early Detection
Preventing an infection is not always possible, but early detection can reduce complications and allow treatment before serious disease develops.
For some infections, treating the underlying condition can also reduce the long-term risk of cancer.
Future Vaccines Could Make a Difference
Researchers are also investigating new preventive tools, including potential vaccines against Epstein-Barr virus and other cancer-associated infectious agents.
Such developments could expand the number of infection-related cancers that can be prevented.
Challenges to Global Prevention
Despite the availability of effective interventions, implementation remains difficult in some regions.
Major barriers include:
Limited healthcare funding
Unequal vaccine access
Shortages of diagnostic services
Healthcare infrastructure gaps
Political and economic challenges
Limited public awareness
Featured Snippet: Can Infections Cause Cancer?
Yes. Certain infections can increase cancer risk by causing chronic inflammation, damaging cells or triggering biological changes that contribute to cancer development. Major examples include H. pylori, HPV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Epstein-Barr virus.
Featured Snippet: Can Infection-Related Cancer Be Prevented?
Many infection-related cancers can be prevented or their risk reduced through vaccination, infection screening, appropriate treatment, safer-sex practices and access to cancer screening.
“Prevention remains one of the most important opportunities for reducing the global burden of infection-related cancer.”
Did You Know?
Did you know? Around 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 were estimated to be associated with infectious agents, showing how strongly cancer prevention and infectious-disease control can be connected.
Expert Opinion
Expert View: The study's findings underline the importance of combining cancer-control programs with infectious-disease prevention. Expanding vaccination, testing and treatment could address preventable causes of cancer, especially in regions carrying a disproportionate share of the burden.
Pros and Cons of Infection-Based Cancer Prevention
| Advantages | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Vaccines can prevent important infections | Vaccine access remains unequal |
| Some infections can be detected early | Screening infrastructure varies |
| Several infections are treatable | Treatment may be unavailable in some regions |
| Prevention can reduce future cancer risk | Public awareness remains inconsistent |
| Multiple prevention tools already exist | New vaccines are still needed for some infections |
What Can Individuals Do?
People can reduce their risk by following recommended vaccination schedules, seeking appropriate medical testing, practicing safer-sex measures and discussing persistent infections with healthcare professionals.
However, individual prevention works best when supported by accessible public-health systems.
Conclusion
The latest estimates highlight a major opportunity in cancer prevention. About 2.3 million new cancer cases were associated with infections in 2024, but many of the underlying infectious agents can be prevented, detected or treated.
Vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, combined with H. pylori treatment, hepatitis testing and other preventive measures, could help reduce the global burden. Expanding access to these interventions—especially in low- and middle-income countries—remains an important public-health priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many cancer cases are caused by infections?
Around 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 were estimated to be associated with 12 infectious agents.
2. Which infection causes the most cancer?
H. pylori was the leading infectious contributor, associated with approximately 760,000 cancer cases.
3. Does HPV cause cancer?
Yes. Persistent infection with certain types of HPV can cause several cancers, including cervical cancer.
4. Can vaccines prevent cancer?
Vaccines can prevent infections that cause cancer. HPV and hepatitis B vaccination are important examples.
5. Can H. pylori be treated?
Yes. H. pylori infection can generally be diagnosed and treated with appropriate medical therapy.
6. Is hepatitis B linked to cancer?
Yes. Chronic hepatitis B infection increases the risk of liver cancer.
7. What cancers are associated with Epstein-Barr virus?
EBV is associated with several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer, certain lymphomas and some stomach cancers.
8. Why are infection-related cancers more common in some countries?
Differences in vaccination, screening, diagnosis, treatment and healthcare access contribute to geographical disparities.
9. Can infection-related cancer be completely prevented?
Not every case can be prevented, but vaccination, screening, treatment and other public-health measures can substantially reduce risk for several infection-associated cancers.
10. What is the most important step in cancer prevention?
There is no single prevention measure for every cancer. For infection-related cancers, vaccination, infection control, appropriate treatment and screening are key strategies.
Primary Keyword: preventable infections and cancer
Secondary Keywords: infection-related cancer, cancer prevention, H. pylori cancer, HPV cancer, hepatitis B cancer, Epstein-Barr virus cancer
LSI Keywords: cancer-causing infections, infectious agents, cancer risk, HPV vaccination, hepatitis B vaccine, H. pylori treatment, cancer prevention strategies
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