Modifiable risk factors, particularly tobacco, infections, and alcohol, contribute substantially to the cancer burden across Asia, with population attributable fractions showing marked heterogeneity.
Observational
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The burden of cancer attributable to modifiable factors in Asia is substantial and highly heterogeneous, with tobacco, infections, and alcohol as leading contributors.
Abstract Published estimates of cancer burden attributable to modifiable factors in Asia are not comparable due to heterogeneous methodologies. A comprehensive analysis is needed to characterize regional variations and inform prevention strategies. We estimated population attributable fractions (PAFs) for major avoidable cancer risk factors across Asian countries grouped into West Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, Central Asia, and selected East Asian countries (China, Mongolia and North Korea; Japan and South Korea). Data sources included region-specific exposure estimates and established relative risks from international evaluations. Risk factors analyzed included tobacco use, alcohol consumption, infections, dietary factors, occupational factors, and excess body weight. PAFs were computed separately for individual risk factors and cancer types. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across Asia in the contribution of modifiable risk factors to cancer burden (table 1). Tobacco, infections, and alcohol were consistently among the leading contributors, although their ranking varied by region. Diet and excess body weight contributed substantially to several countries, with marked regional differences. Overall, PAFs for many risk factors were higher than those reported in Europe and the Americas. The distribution of cancer types with the highest attributable fractions differed across regions, reflecting variations in exposure patterns and baseline incidence. The burden of cancer attributable to modifiable factors in Asia is substantial yet highly heterogeneous across regions. Improving the availability and quality of exposure data is needed for more accurate assessments. Expansion of comparable, methodologically harmonized PAF estimation across additional Asian countries will strengthen regional cancer prevention strategies. Future work should incorporate temporal exposure trends and broaden the range of risk factors evaluated. Citation Format: Monireh Sadat Seyyedsalehi, Paolo Boffetta. Attributable cancer in Asia: A heterogeneous picture abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 5042.
Seyyedsalehi et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Cancer. Modifiable risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, infections, diet, occupation, excess body weight) was evaluated on Population attributable fractions (PAFs) for major avoidable cancer risk factors. Modifiable risk factors, particularly tobacco, infections, and alcohol, contribute substantially to the cancer burden across Asia, with population attributable fractions showing marked heterogeneity.