A World Health Organization (WHO) report published in Nature Medicine on 3/2 revealed nearly 19 million new cancer cases globally in 2022. Millions of these cases stemmed from 30 modifiable risk factors. Smoking was identified as the leading cause, accounting for 15% of all cases, affecting nearly 3 million people. This rate increased to 23% among men. Alcohol consumption ranked second, responsible for 3,2% of new cases, equivalent to about 700,000 individuals.
Isabelle Soerjomataram, an epidemiologist at WHO and the study's lead author, highlighted that addressing these preventable causes offers the greatest opportunity to reduce the global cancer burden. Beyond tobacco and alcohol, other significant risk factors include a high body mass index (BMI), sedentary lifestyles, smokeless tobacco use, betel nut chewing, air pollution, and ultraviolet radiation.
The research further indicated a distinct impact of environmental pollution across various geographical regions. In East Asia, smog and poor air quality contributed to about 15% of lung cancer cases in women. This figure was even higher, reaching up to 20%, for men in North Africa and West Asia.
In addition to environmental and lifestyle factors, infectious agents were responsible for approximately 10% of new cancer cases. For women, the HPV virus remains the primary cause of cervical cancer. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, vaccination coverage remains low in many regions. Among men, stomach cancer rates are higher, frequently linked to smoking and bacterial infections stemming from crowded living conditions, a lack of clean water, or poor hygiene.
Andre Ilbawi, WHO's Cancer Control Team Lead, emphasized that analyzing disease patterns at a national level assists governments in developing early prevention strategies. The research team urged countries to immediately implement medical interventions, reduce occupational risks, and address pollution to safeguard public health and alleviate strain on healthcare systems.
Binh Minh (According to WHO, Science Alert)
