Context:
A new global analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found that up to four in ten cancer cases diagnosed in India are preventable. The study, released ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February 2026), underscores the enormous potential of prevention strategies in reducing the cancer burden in India and globally.
Key Findings of the WHO Analysis:
According to the WHO–IARC report analysing data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types:
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- 37% of all new cancer cases globally, about 7.1 million cases in 2022 were linked to preventable causes.
- In India, nearly four in ten cancers, approximately 520,000 cases are potentially preventable through modification of risk factors.
- Sex-wise variation: Over four in ten preventable cancers occur among men, while about three in ten occur among women.
- 37% of all new cancer cases globally, about 7.1 million cases in 2022 were linked to preventable causes.
Major Preventable Risk Factors:
The analysis identifies several modifiable factors responsible for a significant share of cancer cases:
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- Tobacco use: The leading preventable cause, contributing to cancers of the lung, oral cavity, and several other organs.
- Infections: Including human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori, which are linked to cervical and stomach cancers, respectively.
- Other factors: Alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation significantly increase cancer risk.
- Tobacco use: The leading preventable cause, contributing to cancers of the lung, oral cavity, and several other organs.
Preventable Cancers in India:
In India, the major cancers that are largely preventable include:
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- Oral cancer, driven by tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco use, and areca nut consumption.
- Lung and stomach cancers, linked to smoking and chronic infections.
- Cervical and breast cancers, where HPV vaccination, routine screening, and lifestyle modifications can substantially reduce incidence.
- Oral cancer, driven by tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco use, and areca nut consumption.
Policy and Public Health Implications:
The findings carry important implications for public health policy in India:
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- Tobacco control and cessation measures, including higher taxation and sustained public awareness campaigns, can significantly reduce cancer rates.
- Vaccination programmes against HPV and hepatitis B can prevent infection-related cancers.
- Promotion of healthy lifestyles, including balanced diets, regular physical activity, and reduced alcohol consumption, is essential.
- Early screening and improved access to preventive services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, can enhance early detection and outcomes.
- Tobacco control and cessation measures, including higher taxation and sustained public awareness campaigns, can significantly reduce cancer rates.
About Cancer:
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterised by uncontrolled cell growth, evasion of normal cell death mechanisms, and the ability to invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasise) to distant organs, often forming tumours. Its causes include genetic mutations, lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and infections.
Key Features:
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- Abnormal cell growth: DNA damage leads to uncontrolled division and resistance to programmed cell death.
- Tumours: These may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- Metastasis: Malignant cells can spread through blood or lymphatic systems to other parts of the body.
- Abnormal cell growth: DNA damage leads to uncontrolled division and resistance to programmed cell death.
Types:
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- Solid tumours: Carcinomas (e.g., skin, lung, breast) and sarcomas (bone, muscle).
- Blood cancers: Leukemia and lymphoma.
- Solid tumours: Carcinomas (e.g., skin, lung, breast) and sarcomas (bone, muscle).
Conclusion:
The WHO report’s finding that nearly 40% of cancers in India are preventable highlights a critical opportunity for health systems and policymakers to shift emphasis from treatment to prevention and early detection. Coordinated, multi-sectoral efforts addressing tobacco use, infections, lifestyle choices, and environmental risk factors can substantially reduce the cancer burden, improve quality of life, and lower long-term healthcare costs.
