The Newshound

Infections caused 2.3 million cancer cases in 2024 and one in eight worldwide are PREVENTABLE, WHO study finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

H. pylori, the stomach bug the NHS estimates infects four in ten UK adults, was the single biggest infection-linked cancer culprit, responsible for 760,000 new cases in 2024.
H. pylori, the stomach bug the NHS estimates infects four in ten UK adults, was the single biggest infection-linked cancer culprit, responsible for 760,000 new cases in 2024.

A landmark WHO study published in The Lancet Oncology links 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 — roughly one in eight globally — to infections, with researchers insisting the vast majority are preventable through existing tools. Five pathogens drive almost all of these cases: H. pylori and HPV together account for 4% each, followed by hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C. Lead researcher Dr Harriet Rumgay called the burden "enormous but largely preventable," pointing to vaccines, screening and antibiotics already available to tackle the top culprits.

H. pylori caused around 760,000 cases and HPV around 750,000 — both are beatable with antibiotics or vaccination.

Over 70% of infection-related cancers struck people in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment remains sparse.

Expert Dr Patrick Moore warned the 12% figure may be "very conservative" and the true share of infection-caused cancers is likely higher.

MoreThe IndependentThe likely cause of 2.3 million cancer cases revealedThe IndependentWorld Health Organisation identifies the likely cause of one in eight cancers worldwidewho.intGlobal burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2024: One in eight cancers worldwide linked to infectionssciencemediacentre.esOne in eight cases of cancer worldwide is linked to infectionshealio.com1 in 8 cancers attributable to infections; burden ‘enormous’ but ‘largely preventable’deccanherald.comH. pylori, HPV among five infections linked to 12% new cancers in 2024: LancetNewsweek1 in 8 cancer cases worldwide linked to infectionsmsn.comInfections caused 2.3 million cancers in 2024, led by H pylori and HPV
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