Infections Linked to One in Eight New Cancer Cases Worldwide

Around one in eight new cancer cases worldwide is linked to an infection, according to a global study highlighting the role of viruses and bacteria in cancer risk.

The study links infections to 2.3 million cancer cases recorded in 2024. Five infectious agents account for most of that total, placing them at the centre of efforts to understand and reduce infection-related cancers.

The findings underline that infections can contribute to cancer as well as cause more immediate illness. The summary of the research did not identify the five viruses and bacteria or provide a breakdown of the cases associated with each.

Some of these infections can be prevented through vaccination or addressed with treatment, offering opportunities to reduce the cancer burden linked to them.

The study’s central message is that infection prevention and treatment have a role in cancer prevention, alongside efforts to detect and treat cancer itself.