A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 30 modifiable risk factors that contribute to cancer cases worldwide, warning that up to four in 10 cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes and reduced exposure. The large global study is the first to outline how much cancer risk comes from causes people can control, including nine cancer-causing infections newly added to the list. “This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent,” Dr. André Ilbawi, the WHO’s team lead for cancer control and the study’s author, said in a press release. “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start,” he continued. Smoking tobacco accounted for 15% of new cases worldwide, followed by cancer-causing infections at 10% and alcohol consumption at 3%.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 06, 2026 17:18 UTC