One third of cancer cases globally are ‘avoidable’A giant study of cancer cases spanning millions of diagnoses across 185 countries suggests that more than a third are preventable. Smoking, cancer-causing infections and drinking alcohol emerged as the three leading contributors to cases globally. Three cancer types – lung, stomach and cervical cancer – accounted for almost half of preventable cases. In 2024, a study revealed that no cases of cervical cancer had been detected in young women in Scotland who received it. “Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden,” said study author Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram of the World Health Organization (WHO).