A new study has found that infections caused an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024, accounting for about 12 per cent of all new cancer cases recorded during the year.
The study, led by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, used data from the Global Cancer Observatory’s GLOBOCAN 2024 database to assess cancers attributable to 12 infectious agents classified as Group 1 carcinogens.
Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori, caused the largest number of infection-attributable cancer cases, with about 760,000 cases globally.
Human papillomavirus, HPV, followed with about 750,000 cases, while hepatitis B virus, HBV, was linked to 360,000 cases.
Epstein-Barr virus, EBV, accounted for about 260,000 cases, while hepatitis C virus, HCV, was associated with approximately 160,000 cases.
The five infections accounted for most cancers linked to infectious agents in the study.
The researchers said the findings highlighted the importance of infection control in cancer prevention, noting that several of the infections could be prevented or treated.
They identified HPV and HBV vaccination, testing and treatment for HIV, H. pylori, HBV and HCV, as well as safe injection practices as key interventions.
Other measures include condom use and ore-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission, alongside screening for precancerous lesions linked to HPV-driven cervical and anal cancers.
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Eastern Asia recorded the largest absolute burden, with about 990,000 infection-attributable cancer cases, representing 42 per cent of the global total.
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded an age-standard incidence rate of 28.5 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the global average of 22.7 cases per 100,000.
Central and eastern Europe recorded 24.3 cases per 100,000, while southeastern Asia recorded 23.1 cases per 100,000.
The analysis incorporated newly established infection-cancer associations and additional infectious agents, including HIV and Merkel cell polyomavirus.
It also included additional cancer types associated with previously established carcinogenic infections, including the recently established link between EBV and gastric cancer.
A focused analysis of EBV-attributable cancers showed substantial regional differences in the distribution of cancer types associated with the virus.
The researchers said the findings could guide research and development investments in new cancer prevention tools, particularly those targeting EBV.
They added that strengthening vaccination, screening, diagnosis and treatment programmer could help reduce the global burden of infection-associated cancers.
The study noted that infectious agents remained an important preventable cause of cancer globally, making infection control a key component of broader cancer-control strategies.
NAN
