The global burden of cancer is increasing, with cancer now the third leading cause of death worldwide, expected to rise significantly by 2030. This increase is driven by population growth, aging, and the persistence of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite declines in cancer death rates in high-resource countries, the number of cancer cases and deaths is projected to more than double worldwide over the next 20–40 years. The paper emphasizes the need for preventive measures to mitigate this increase, particularly in countries that can least afford it. Key preventive strategies include strengthening international tobacco control and increasing access to vaccines against hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV), which are effective in preventing cancer. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and premature death, with over 1.3 billion people currently smoking. Smoking is associated with numerous cancers, including lung, larynx, oral cavity, and others. Effective tobacco control measures, such as higher taxes and smoke-free laws, have been shown to reduce smoking rates and related cancer risks. Obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition are also major contributors to cancer, with rising obesity rates in both high- and low-income countries. Chronic infections, such as those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are responsible for a significant proportion of global cancer cases, particularly in developing countries. Vaccines against HBV and HPV are critical in preventing these infections and the associated cancers. The paper also highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, as well as the role of public health interventions in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. Effective prevention strategies, including vaccination, tobacco control, and lifestyle changes, are essential to addressing the growing global cancer burden.The global burden of cancer is increasing, with cancer now the third leading cause of death worldwide, expected to rise significantly by 2030. This increase is driven by population growth, aging, and the persistence of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite declines in cancer death rates in high-resource countries, the number of cancer cases and deaths is projected to more than double worldwide over the next 20–40 years. The paper emphasizes the need for preventive measures to mitigate this increase, particularly in countries that can least afford it. Key preventive strategies include strengthening international tobacco control and increasing access to vaccines against hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV), which are effective in preventing cancer. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and premature death, with over 1.3 billion people currently smoking. Smoking is associated with numerous cancers, including lung, larynx, oral cavity, and others. Effective tobacco control measures, such as higher taxes and smoke-free laws, have been shown to reduce smoking rates and related cancer risks. Obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition are also major contributors to cancer, with rising obesity rates in both high- and low-income countries. Chronic infections, such as those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are responsible for a significant proportion of global cancer cases, particularly in developing countries. Vaccines against HBV and HPV are critical in preventing these infections and the associated cancers. The paper also highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions, as well as the role of public health interventions in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. Effective prevention strategies, including vaccination, tobacco control, and lifestyle changes, are essential to addressing the growing global cancer burden.