Researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer have identified that 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024 are linked to infectious diseases. This figure represents approximately 12% of all global cancer diagnoses for the year.
The 760,000 cases driven by H. pylori
The stomach-infecting bacterium Helicobacter pylori is responsible for an estimated 760,000 cancer cases in 2024, according to the report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This single pathogen accounts for roughly 4% of all new cancer diagnoses globally.
This specific bug spreads through contact with an infected person's saliva, vomit, or stool, as well as through contaminated food and water. Because the bacteria can persist in the stomach,it remains a primary target for infection control efforts aimed at reducing gastric cancer rates.
Hepatitis B and the 260,000 Epstein-Barr cases
Liver-related risks and the Epstein-Barr virus represent another significant portion of these infection-linked daignoses. The study notes that hepatitis B is linked to 360,000 cases, or 2% of the total, often leading to chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Similarly, hepatitis C remains a major contributor, spreading through infected blood and shared needles to cause serious liver damage.
The Epstein-Barr virus, which is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis, is also a major factor in the 2024 data. As the study highlights, this virus is attributed to approximately 260,000 cancer cases, representing about 1% of the global total. Symptoms of the virus often include faigue, fever, and a sore throat, but its long-term oncogenic potential is a critical concern for researchers in Lyon, France.
Preventing cancer through vaccination and safe practices
For decades, the conversation around cancer prevention has focused heavily on genetic predispositions and lifestyle choices like smoking. However, the findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggest a massive opportunity for public health intervention through direct infection control.
The researchers suggest that a combination of vaccination, regular scanning, and increased testing can mitigate these risks. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of safe injection and sex practices to curb the spread of pathogens like HPV and hepatitis, which are major drivers of the current cancer burden.
The missing data on HPV and global access
While the study provides specific figures for H. pylori, hepatitis, and Epstein-Barr, it leaves several critical questions unanswered regarding the total impact of the human papilloma virus (HPV). Although the report identifies HPV as a major contributor spread through skin-to-skin or sexual contact, it does not provide a specific case count for HPV-related cancers in 2024 like it does for the other pathogens.
Furthermore, the report does not address the socioeconomic disparities that influence these numbers. It remains unclear how much of this 12% of cancer cases is concentrated in regions with limited access to the very vaccinations and treatments the researchers recommend.
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