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Infections Caused 12% of Global Cancers in 2024
Confirmed
In Short: According to a new analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), infections caused nearly 12% of all new cancer cases worldwide in 2024, equating to approximately 2.3 million cases.
The study, which is the most up-to-date worldwide assessment of cancers attributable to infections, highlights that the vast majority of these infections were caused by five specific pathogens: Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and hepatitis C.
Dr Harriet Rumgay, a co-author of the study from IARC's Cancer Surveillance Branch, emphasized the importance of infection control in reducing the global cancer burden.
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori was responsible for an estimated 760,000 cancer cases worldwide in 2024, accounting for around 4% of all cancers diagnosed that year.
The analysis revealed that more than three-quarters of infection-related cancers occurred in low- and middle-income countries, where many people still lack access to effective prevention and treatment.
Despite progress in vaccination and screening, infection-related cancers remain a significant global challenge, with the burden disproportionately affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries.
Eastern Asia had the highest number of infection-related cancers, with an estimated 990,000 cases in 2024.
Nina R., commenting on the study, noted that the data could help remind physicians that infection-related cancers are an important cause of mortality and that tools exist to address some, but not all, cases.
The IARC analysis used data from its online GLOBOCAN database, which provides global statistics on 36 types of cancer.
The study underscores the preventable nature of many infection-related cancers through measures such as vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, testing, and treatment for H. pylori.
What this adds
The analysis is the most up-to-date worldwide assessment of cancers attributable to infections.
The study used data from the IARC's GLOBOCAN database, which provides global statistics on 36 types of cancer.
The burden of infection-related cancers falls disproportionately on populations in low- and middle-income countries.
What's confirmed
- The study, which is the most up-to-date worldwide assessment of cancers attributable to infections, highlights that the vast majority of these infections were caused by five specific pathogens: Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and hepatitis C.
- Dr Harriet Rumgay, a co-author of the study from IARC's Cancer Surveillance Branch, emphasized the importance of infection control in reducing the global cancer burden.
- The bacterium Helicobacter pylori was responsible for an estimated 760,000 cancer cases worldwide in 2024, accounting for around 4% of all cancers diagnosed that year.
- The analysis revealed that more than three-quarters of infection-related cancers occurred in low- and middle-income countries, where many people still lack access to effective prevention and treatment.
- Despite progress in vaccination and screening, infection-related cancers remain a significant global challenge, with the burden disproportionately affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries.
- Eastern Asia had the highest number of infection-related cancers, with an estimated 990,000 cases in 2024.
- Nina R., commenting on the study, noted that the data could help remind physicians that infection-related cancers are an important cause of mortality and that tools exist to address some, but not all, cases.
- The IARC analysis used data from its online GLOBOCAN database, which provides global statistics on 36 types of cancer.
- The study underscores the preventable nature of many infection-related cancers through measures such as vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, testing, and treatment for H. pylori.
What's still developing
- Those cancers were attributable to 12 infectious agents known to be carcinogenic to humans.