WHO Links One in Eight Global Cancers to Infections
· World · The Independent, CTV News
Around 12% of the world's total cancer cases in 2024 were likely caused by an infection, according to research from the World Health Organization published in The Lancet Oncology. The study linked 2.3 million new cancer cases to pathogens, with the vast majority driven by Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C. These five pathogens can trigger more than 20 different types of cancer, including stomach, liver, blood, and cervical cancers. Viruses contribute to oncogenesis by turning off cellular self-destruction mechanisms, inserting viral DNA into host genomes, or carrying cancer-causing oncogenes. Study authors noted that historical comparisons of infection-linked cancer proportions cannot be made reliably due to changing data sources over time.
Why it matters
Identifying specific pathogens as primary drivers of millions of cancer cases underscores the critical role of targeted vaccination and infection prevention programmes globally.
Read the original report — The Independent
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