Global Cancer Prevention: Current Approaches and Future Directions

Cancer is a leading and growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022 and projections of substantially greater burden over coming decades. A large fraction of this burden is preventable through interventions directed at established modifiable risk factors, including tobacco, excess body weight, alcohol, ultraviolet and occupational exposures, and oncogenic infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus. Yet, primary prevention remains underutilized relative to its demonstrated impact. In this chapter, derived from presentations at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting Education Session on global cancer prevention, we synthesize the contemporary global burden of preventable cancers quantified through population attributable fractions; summarize progress and remaining challenges in eliminating cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions; and examine evidence-based approaches to cancer control in Africa, where the preventable fraction is particularly high. We conclude with priority actions spanning policy, financing, workforce development, and research that are needed to translate the existing prevention evidence base into measurable reductions in cancer incidence and mortality, particularly in settings of greatest need.