IARC study links 2.3 million 2024 cancer cases to infections

An analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that infections were responsible for 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024, accounting for 12% of all cases. Researchers assessed cancer estimates from national and other registry data and looked at 12 infectious agents. The largest numbers of cases were attributed to Helicobacter pylori, with 760,000, human papillomavirus, with 750,000, and hepatitis B virus, with 360,000.

Most H. pylori-attributable cases were non-cardia gastric cancers, while cervical cancer accounted for most HPV-attributable cases, the researchers reported. They said prevention measures include HBV and HPV vaccination, testing and treatment for H. pylori, HBV, HCV and HIV, and cervical screening. The researchers said prevention strategies need to be tailored to local infection patterns and healthcare needs. A study limitation was the lack of sex-specific estimates of the share of cancers attributable to infection.