WHO Says Four in Ten Cancer Cases Can Be Prevented
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that four out of every 10 cancer cases recorded globally are preventable, stressing the importance of healthy living and early intervention in reducing the disease burden.
In a recent statement, the WHO explained that many cancers are linked to lifestyle choices and environmental factors that can be controlled or avoided. These include tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and exposure to environmental pollutants.
According to the global health body, tobacco alone is responsible for about one-quarter of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. The organization added that reducing smoking and second-hand smoke exposure could significantly lower cancer rates across countries.
WHO also highlighted the role of vaccination in cancer prevention, particularly vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, which are known to cause cervical and liver cancers respectively. The agency noted that wider access to vaccines and routine immunisation programmes could save millions of lives.
Early detection was also identified as a major tool in preventing cancer deaths. WHO said regular screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers can help detect the disease at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less costly.
The organization urged governments to invest more in public awareness campaigns, stronger health systems, and affordable healthcare services to ensure people can access preventive care and cancer screening.
WHO warned that cancer cases are expected to rise globally due to population growth, ageing, and continued exposure to risk factors, especially in low- and middle-income countries. However, it maintained that strong prevention strategies could greatly reduce this projected increase.
Health experts say the WHO’s message is a reminder that cancer is not always inevitable and that simple lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, eating balanced diets, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and attending routine medical checks can significantly reduce risk.
The global health body called on individuals, communities, and governments to work together to prioritise prevention, saying that preventing cancer is not only cheaper than treating it but also saves lives and improves quality of life.
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