Preventive Oncology: A Public Health Priority

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the foremost causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated 20.6 million new cases diagnosed in 2024 and projections indicating a rise to nearly 35 million cases annually by 2050. Approximately 37% of new cancer cases globally are attributable to modifiable or preventable risk factors, underscoring the substantial potential of evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce the future cancer burden. This review synthesizes current evidence on the global burden of cancer, the modifiable and non-modifiable determinants of cancer risk, and the structured framework of primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive oncology. It further examines systemic barriers to implementation and presents population-level evidence from England, Finland, Australia, and the Indian states of Sikkim and Tamil Nadu, demonstrating that organized, evidence-based preventive interventions can produce measurable reductions in cancer incidence and mortality. The review concludes that strengthening preventive oncology, supported by political commitment, health-system capacity, and equitable financing, is essential to complement advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment.