Seven million preventable cancers – and other health stories

Up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The study examined 30 modifiable risk factors - ranging from tobacco use to air pollution - and found that 37% of all new cancer diagnoses in 2022 were attributable to preventable causes. That equates to an estimated 7.1 million cases globally.

Tobacco was identified as the single largest preventable cause, accounting for 15% of new cancer cases worldwide. Infections were the second most significant contributor at 10%, followed by alcohol consumption at 3%, the report found.

The prevalence was much higher for men than for women, with 45% of preventable new cancer cases in men compared with 30% in women. The dominant cause for men was smoking (23%) while infections led for women (11%).

The following session from the World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos explored what the latest research and emerging therapies promise for improving cancer prevention, detection and treatment, and where their limits still lie. You can watch it below.

An estimated 4.5 million girls - many of them under the age of five - are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2026, according to a joint statement from United Nations leaders.

More than 230 million girls and women worldwide are already living with the lifelong physical, psychological and social consequences of the practice. Treating FGM-related health complications is estimated to cost around $1.4 billion each year.

While progress is accelerating, challenges remain. The proportion of girls subjected to FGM has fallen from one in two to one in three, driven by measures including health education, community-led initiatives, media campaigns and stronger support services.

However, the UN leaders warned that these gains could be reversed without sustained political commitment, predictable funding and strengthened partnerships.

South Carolina hit by measles outbreak: The US state has reported 920 measles cases, mostly in Greenville and Spartanburg. The outbreak is likely to last weeks or months amid low vaccination uptake. Most cases are in unvaccinated people, which led to a strong increase in measles vaccinations across the state in January.

Fatal Nipah virus case in northern Bangladesh: This follows two Nipah virus cases in India, prompting some Asian countries to increase airport health screenings. The virus, linked to bat-contaminated food, is highly deadly but does not spread easily between people, lowering the risk of an international outbreak, according to the WHO.

Autistic girls are less likely to be diagnosed: A large Swedish study finds girls are much less likely to be diagnosed with autism in childhood, despite similar prevalence to boys, with diagnosis often delayed until adolescence or early adulthood. Experts say systemic biases, masking and outdated stereotypes contribute to underdiagnosis.

HPV vaccines could transform cervical cancer screening: Women vaccinated against HPV in early adolescence may only need a few cervical cancer screenings in their lifetime - every 15–25 years if vaccinated between the ages of 12 and 24, or every 10 years if vaccinated between the ages of 25 and 30, according to a new study. Experts warn that these findings rely on very high vaccination coverage and a uniform screening programme, such as in Norway where the study was conducted.

Good health is the world’s best investment: As Head of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Health and Healthcare, I recently wrote about the economic cost of poor health, which now amounts to roughly 15% of global GDP each year. At the same time, healthcare systems waste an estimated 20–30% of spending on ineffective interventions, slowing growth and undermining competitiveness. Treating health as an investment rather than a cost generates strong returns, a topic covered in an expert-led panel session at Davos 2026, which you can watch below. Without decisive action, decades of progress risk being reversed.

Charting solutions to the NCDs challenge: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease cause the majority of premature deaths and heavy healthcare costs, yet many are preventable or manageable with early intervention. Experts at Davos 2026 stressed shifting from reactive treatment to prevention, using tools like AI, food system reform, community engagement and incentives for healthier choices. Read this handy round-up of NCD solutions.

Prioritising cyber resilience in the healthcare sector: Healthcare is a prime target for cyberattacks, with breaches disrupting patient care, eroding trust and costing millions, yet investments often prioritise treatment over cyber resilience. Here's how strategic digital twin technology allows leaders to simulate hospital operations, test cyber-risk strategies and optimise investments.