IARC analysis: about one in eight new cancers in 2024 linked to infections

An analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, published in The Lancet Oncology (online about 28–29 September 2026) and covered by The Independent on 30 September 2026, estimates that about 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 — roughly 12%, or one in eight worldwide — were attributable to infections.

Leading pathogens and geography

According to IARC, the top pathogens included Helicobacter pylori (4%), human papillomavirus / HPV (4%), hepatitis B (2%), Epstein–Barr virus (1%) and hepatitis C (<1%), linked to more than 20 cancer types. About 75% of infection-caused cancers occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Prevention avenues highlighted include vaccines (HPV, HBV), treating H. pylori and hepatitis, and screening.

Study type and limitations — read carefully

This is an observational / incidence attribution analysis based on Global Cancer Observatory data — not a new clinical trial of a drug or vaccine. Methods and data quality have evolved versus prior years, so trend comparisons are limited. This article is not personal medical advice; individuals should discuss vaccination and screening with a qualified clinician.