Design: Worldwide incidence analysis using GLOBOCAN 2024
Population: Global new cancer cases in 2024
Primary outcome: Cases and fractions attributable to 12 carcinogenic infections
Effect: 2.3 million cases (12%); H. pylori 760 000, HPV 750 000

A worldwide incidence analysis in Lancet Oncology combined GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates with the 12 infectious agents classified by IARC as Group 1 carcinogens.

An estimated 2.3 million new cancers — 12% of all cases — were attributable to infection. Helicobacter pylori accounted for about 760 000, HPV about 750 000, hepatitis B 360 000, Epstein–Barr virus 260 000 and hepatitis C 160 000. Eastern Asia carried 42% of the total, and rates above the global average were seen in sub-Saharan Africa, central and eastern Europe and south-east Asia.

These are cancers with proven prevention routes: HPV and hepatitis B vaccination, testing and treatment of H. pylori, hepatitis B and C and HIV, and cervical screening. For oncologists, the patient in clinic is often a missed prevention opportunity for their family.

Offer hepatitis B and C testing to patients with liver cancer and their household contacts.
Encourage HPV vaccination for daughters and sons of patients where eligible.
Consider H. pylori testing for first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer.
Cervical screening remains the main tool for HPV-driven cancer in women.

Why it matters

A tenth of the global cancer burden is preventable with tools that already exist.

The statistics, in plain English

A population-attributable fraction estimates the share of cases that would not occur if the infection were removed. It assumes causal links established by IARC and depends on prevalence estimates, which are less certain in some regions.