Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2024: a worldwide incidence analysis.

Infections are linked to 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024, representing 12% of all new cancer diagnoses worldwide.

• Why it matters: Understanding the infectious causes of cancer is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and reducing the global cancer burden.
• What they did: The study used data from the GLOBOCAN database to estimate population-attributable fractions, absolute numbers, and age-standardised incidence rates for 12 infectious agents across different regions and income groups.
• The result: H. pylori and HPV accounted for the largest number of infection-attributable cancers, with eastern Asia bearing the highest burden, underscoring the need for targeted infection control and vaccination efforts.