With nearly 10 million deaths and nearly 20 million new cases in 2022, cancer remains one of the world’s biggest killers, according to a report on Thursday by the World Health Organisation.

It’s a disease that causes abnormal cells to multiply and spread, affects humans and virtually all other animal species, with traces found in human skeletons dating from prehistoric times.

There are more than 100 types, each with its own diagnosis and treatment. Around one in nine men and one in 12 women will die from cancer.

An estimated 9.74 million people died from the disease in 2022, and 19.96 million new cases were recorded, according to a report by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published on Thursday.

The three most common cancers are lung cancer (12.4 per cent of new cases in 2022), breast cancer (11.6 per cent) and colon cancer (9.6 per cent).

Around half of the new cases in 2022 were in Asia, which is home to more than half the world’s population.

Three-quarters of all the new cases in 2022 were among people aged over 55.

The disease kills more men than women, with men accounting for 56 out of every 100 cancer deaths, compared to 44 for women.

Here are three ways to prevent cancer

Healthy living

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of developing the disease. Maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco, limit alcohol intake, and protect your skin to reduce the likelihood.

Screening

Screening is one of the ways to prevent cancer, as it helps identify individuals at higher risk for certain cancers based on factors such as family history or lifestyle.

Undergoing regular screening tests can detect breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers at an early stage, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment. Additionally, lung cancer screening is advised for individuals deemed at high risk.

Vaccination

Vaccines, administered through shots, play a role in reducing the risk. For instance, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in preventing most cervical cancers and several other types.

Additionally, the hepatitis B vaccine can contribute to lowering the risk of liver cancer.