Study Reveals 2.3 Million Cancer Cases Linked to Infections in 2024

A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that infections will be responsible for approximately 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024. This figure represents about 12 percent of all new cancer diagnoses globally. The research, conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), utilized data from the Global Cancer Observatory’s GLOBOCAN 2024 database to assess the impact of various infectious agents on cancer incidence.

The study identified 12 infectious agents classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the IARC Monographs Programme. Among these, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was found to be the most significant contributor, accounting for roughly 760,000 cancer cases globally. Following closely were human papillomavirus (HPV) with about 750,000 cases and hepatitis B virus (HBV) linked to 360,000 cases. Other notable infections included Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), contributing 260,000 and 160,000 cases respectively.

The findings underscore the critical role of infection control in cancer prevention strategies. The researchers highlighted that many of these infections are preventable or treatable through various interventions, including vaccinations for HPV and HBV, as well as testing and treatment for HIV, H. pylori, HBV, and HCV. Additionally, promoting safe injection practices, condom use, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV can further reduce the risk of infection-related cancers.

Geographically, the study revealed that eastern Asia bears the highest burden, with nearly 990,000 infection-attributable cancer cases, constituting 42 percent of the global total. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa exhibited a higher age-standardized incidence rate of 28.5 cases per 100,000 people, surpassing the global average of 22.7 cases per 100,000. Central and eastern Europe and southeastern Asia recorded rates of 24.3 and 23.1 cases per 100,000, respectively.

The researchers noted that the analysis included newly recognized associations between infections and cancer types, such as the link between EBV and gastric cancer. They emphasized that these findings could guide future research and development of cancer prevention tools, particularly targeting EBV. Strengthening vaccination, screening, diagnosis, and treatment initiatives is essential to mitigate the global cancer burden associated with infectious agents, reinforcing the need for comprehensive infection control as part of broader cancer prevention strategies.