#14 | WHO: Four in Ten Cancer Cases Could Be Prevented Globally

In this episode of the GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal, we examine a major global analysis from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer showing that nearly four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented.The study estimates that about 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022 — roughly 7.1 million cases — were linked to preventable causes. The findings highlight the enormous potential of prevention strategies to reduce the global cancer burden.Researchers analyzed data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, identifying 30 modifiable risk factors that contribute to cancer development. These include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and several infections known to cause cancer.The analysis found that tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 15% of new cancer cases globally, followed by cancer-causing infections (10%) and alcohol consumption (3%).Three cancer types — lung, stomach and cervical cancer — account for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases worldwide.The episode explores the key implications of this global research:• The role of lifestyle and environmental factors in cancer risk• Tobacco control and alcohol regulation as major prevention strategies• Vaccination against cancer-causing infections such as HPV• The importance of early detection and public awareness• Public health policies needed to reduce preventable cancersThe WHO emphasizes that strengthening prevention policies, improving public health education and reducing exposure to risk factors could significantly reduce cancer incidence worldwide.Original WHO source discussed in this episode:https://www.who.int/news/item/03-02-2026-four-in-ten-cancer-cases-could-be-prevented-globallyThe GMJ Podcast accompanies peer-reviewed publications and global health policy discussions published in the Georgian Medical Journal.Journal website:https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/index#გიორგიფხაკაძე #drpkhakadze #sheniekimi