While some factors are out of your control, global health experts say these simple suggestions could help keep you cancer-free.
There’s some new, promising good news in the fight against cancer. Nearly four in 10 global cancer cases could be prevented—a hopeful takeaway from a sweeping analysis led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its research partner, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, published in February 2026. Using data from 185 countries and 36 types of cancer, researchers estimated that about 7.1 million of the 18.7 million new cancer cases in 2022 were linked to habits we can change. That means everyday choices have real power to lower cancer risk for people around the globe.
Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers accounted for roughly half of all preventable cancers, says the study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine. Altogether, the researchers analyzed over 30 risk factors, including smoking, alcohol, body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, infection history, and more. From there, the authors pinpointed the top three risk factors you can control.
“This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent,” says study author Dr. André Ilbawi, who also works on various cancer initiatives for WHO, in a press release. He says, “By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start.”
While certain health factors—such as genetics—can influence cancer risk beyond our control, some can be influenced by daily choices we make. The study’s authors distilled the data down to three tips anyone can follow to increase their odds of staying healthy. Here’s what they suggest:
1. Quit smoking and other tobacco products
The biggest driver of preventable cancer is still tobacco, WHO data shows. Smoking contributes to roughly 15% of all new cancer cases globally, fueling lung cancer and raising risk for other cancers in areas like the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, and more. But there’s good news: Quitting at any age improves outcomes, starting within months of going cold turkey.
Nonsmokers should limit their exposure to secondhand smoke and air pollution to better protect their lungs, too.
2. Get vaccines or treatment for cancer-causing infections
Infections are responsible for about 10% of new cancer cases worldwide. Two standouts are Helicobacter pylori, a stomach infection linked to stomach cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers.
Prevention here is powerful and practical. Getting the HPV vaccine, staying up to date with recommended screenings, practicing safer sex, and seeking testing and treatment for H. pylori if you have persistent stomach symptoms can all lower your cancer risk. Clean water and food safety play a role in prevention as well.
3. Drink less alcohol
The third most impactful risk factor, alcohol consumption, contributes to about 3% of new cancer cases globally—potentially increasing the risk of breast, liver, colorectal, and mouth cancers. WHO experts say there’s no risk-free amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer, but less is better. Simple shifts—alcohol-free days, smaller pours, or choosing non-alcoholic options you actually enjoy—can add up over time.
The WHO also notes that sex appears to play a substantial role in preventable cancer risk: 45% of men’s cancer cases were determined to be preventable, compared to 30% of women’s cancer cases. The greatest difference was attributed to smoking habits, accounting for 23% of new cancer cases in men and 6% of cancer cases in women.
Regardless of your sex, it’s important to know that prevention isn’t an all-or-nothing situation. Small, doable steps like not smoking, staying vaccinated, seeking treatment for infections, and drinking less can all stack the odds in your favor.
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