LIVER cancer has become the UK’s fastest rising cause of cancer death with obesity, smoking and boozing behind higher cases, research has found.
Cancer Research UK said the death rate has doubled in the past 20 years.
It now kills around 5,800 people per year, compared to 2,200 in the late 1990s.
Liver tumours are a relatively rare type of cancer but many cases – around half – could be prevented by healthier living.
Pamela Healy, chief executive at the British Liver Trust, said: “These stark figures highlight the urgent need for action to address the rising toll of liver cancer deaths.
“Liver cancer is often preventable, with the majority of cases linked to an underlying liver condition.
“It is a devastating diagnosis with sadly only 13% of people surviving for five years.”
Keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, and cutting back on alcohol can all make a difference
Sophia Lowes
Separate research by the BLT found that 80 per cent of areas in England do not have proper care for liver disease patients, who are at higher risk of cancer.
Cancer Research UK found that the death rate for liver cancer increased from 4.7 people per 100,000 in 1999 to 9.3 per 100,000 in 2019.
It ranks as the eight most common cause of cancer death despite only being 17th most common in terms of cases.
Scientists say bad habits are a big cause of liver cancers and about 49 per cent of cases are preventable.
They estimate one in four cases are caused by excess body fat, one in five are due to smoking and seven per cent are linked to smoking.
Projections suggest the death rate will continue to rise, with another 10 per cent increase making it the sixth most deadly by 2040.
Meanwhile deaths are declining for most common cancers.
Sophia Lowes, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, and cutting back on alcohol can make all the difference in reducing your risk of cancer.
“Signs and symptoms of liver cancer include unexplained weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes, itching, feeling sick, or having a swollen tummy.
“If you spot something that’s not normal for you, talk to your doctor.”
LIVER CANCER: THE RISKS AND SYMPTOMS
LIVER cancer is one of only a few common types of tumour that have increasing death rates.
Experts say unhealthy living, including obesity, drinking alcohol and smoking are fuelling a rise in cases and deaths from the disease.
What increases the risk of liver cancer?
- Old age
- Liver cirrhosis – scarring due to previous damage such as from drinking alcohol or an infection like hepatitis
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Diabetes
- HIV or AIDS
What are the most common symptoms?
- Jaundice – your skin and whites of your eyes turn yellow
- Darker wee and/or paler poo than usual
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite and/or feeling sick
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling tired or low on energy all the time
- A lump in the right side of your tummy
