Infections caused 2.3 million cancer cases globally in 2024, study finds

A study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer reveals that infections caused 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024, accounting for 12% of all diagnoses. Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV) remain the leading causes, while Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has emerged as the fourth-leading infectious driver. Over 75% of these cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting regional disparities and the critical need for targeted vaccination, screening, and treatment programs.

Global burden of infection-attributable cancers

• ▪The age-standardized incidence rate for cancer cases caused by infectious agents globally in 2024 was 22.7 cases per 100,000 person-years
• ▪An estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024, representing 12% of all new cancer diagnoses, were attributable to infections, according to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer

Leading infectious causes of cancer

• ▪Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus caused an estimated 360,000 and 160,000 cancer cases globally in 2024, respectively, primarily driving hepatocellular carcinoma
• ▪Human papillomavirus was the second-leading infectious cause of cancer globally in 2024, accounting for approximately 750,000 cases, predominantly cervical cancer
• ▪Epstein-Barr virus was the fourth-leading infectious cause of cancer globally in 2024, accounting for approximately 260,000 cases, including nasopharyngeal cancer, gastric cancer, and lymphomas
• ▪Helicobacter pylori was the leading infectious cause of cancer globally in 2024, accounting for approximately 760,000 cases, primarily non-cardia gastric cancers

Epstein-barr virus impact

• ▪The rise of Epstein-Barr virus as a leading infectious cancer cause in the International Agency for Research on Cancer's 2024 estimates reflects expanded evidence linking the virus to gastric cancer
• ▪Epstein-Barr virus was responsible for an estimated 110,000 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer globally in 2024, according to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer

Geographic distribution of infection-attributable cancers

• ▪Low- and middle-income countries accounted for more than 75% of all infection-attributable cancer cases globally in 2024
• ▪Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 25% of all infection-attributable cancer cases globally in 2024, with human papillomavirus identified as the leading infectious cause in the region
• ▪Northern Europe, Oceania, North America, and western Europe had infection-attributable cancer fractions of 4% to 5% in 2024, well below the 12% global average
• ▪Eastern Asia accounted for 42% of all infection-attributable cancer cases globally in 2024, driven primarily by Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B virus infections

Vaccine prevention and development

• ▪Highly effective vaccination programs exist for human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus, which are two of the five leading infectious causes of cancer
• ▪Harriet Rumgay of the International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that a major priority is developing vaccines against Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Clinical screening and treatment programs

• ▪Testing and treatment programs for Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV serve as key clinical interventions to prevent infection-driven cancers
• ▪Cervical screening programs are established interventions that help prevent human papillomavirus-attributable cancers

Debatable claims

• ▪Mandatory HPV vaccination is justified to eradicate cervical cancer
• ▪Funding prevention of infection-driven cancers is more urgent than targeting lifestyle-driven cancers