Deaths from liver cancer in the UK are almost twice as high as they were two decades ago, with experts warning that early detection of liver disease is vital to saving lives.
Research by the British Liver Trust, published in the British Journal of General Practice, reveals that 80% of regional health bodies in England lack an effective pathway to diagnose and manage liver disease. This disparity is creating a “postcode lottery” in early detection, which can significantly increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Pamela Healy, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said:
“Our research shows that when it comes to the early detection of liver disease, there is a postcode lottery. Although there have been some improvements since the last survey and there are pockets of good practice, this variation is not good enough, and widespread preventative measures are woefully inadequate.
“We need to ensure that there is an effective pathway right across the UK so that everyone has equal access to care. The liver is an incredibly resilient organ, but only up to a point. Symptoms of liver disease often only appear once damage has progressed, and the liver is starting to fail. If found early, disease progression can often be halted or sometimes even reversed.”
The warning comes as new analysis by Cancer Research UK shows liver cancer deaths have almost doubled in 20 years. The charity estimates liver cancer now kills 5,800 people in the UK each year compared with 2,200 in the late 1990s.
The disease is currently the eighth most common cause of cancer death in the UK but is projected to rank sixth by 2040. Cancer Research UK estimates liver cancer has killed more than 81,000 people in the last two decades and predicts it will claim around 135,000 lives in the next 15 years.
Lifestyle changes could help prevent around half of all liver cancer cases, according to the NHS. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and cutting down on alcohol are among the key steps recommended. In addition, people with an existing liver condition
Liver Cancer UK, part of the British Liver Trust, encourages people to take the free Liver Cancer Risk Checker, available at livercanceruk.org/liver-cancer-risk-checker. This simple tool helps individuals identify key risk factors and provides guidance on what to do next if they may be at risk.