More Britons than EVER are dying from liver cancer: Experts blame spiralling obesity rates for the 50% rise in deaths over the last decade
- Cancer Research UK found 5,700 people died from the killer disease in 2017
- It warned deaths from liver cancer are rising faster than for any other type
- The charity blamed increase in obesity – linked to almost a quarter of all cases
More Britons than ever are dying of liver cancer amid the nation’s spiralling obesity crisis, an analysis has today revealed.
Cancer Research UK found 5,700 people lost their lives to the killer disease in the UK in 2017 – up from 3,200 ten years before.
It warned deaths from liver cancer, which tends to not cause symptoms until it is too late to treat, are rising faster than they are for any other type of the disease.
The charity blamed soaring rates of obesity – linked to almost a quarter of all cases. Two thirds of British adults now considered overweight.
Mortality figures show liver cancer kills three times as many people as it did when records began – from 2.8 deaths per 100,000 people in 1971 to 9.3 in 2017 (red = males, blue = overall, green = females)
Cancer Research UK’s liver cancer expert, Professor Helen Reeves at Newcastle University, said: ‘Unfortunately, progress in treating liver cancer has been painfully slow and we desperately need more options for patients.
‘Another problem is the rise in the number of people being diagnosed, which has meant we are losing more people to this disease than ever before.
‘Rising levels of obesity and associated conditions like diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have likely had a big role in this, although they aren’t the only factors.’
Mortality figures show liver cancer kills three times as many people as it did when records began – from 2.8 deaths per 100,000 people in 1971 to 9.3 in 2017.
And there has been a 50 per cent increase in the last decade – from 6.1 in 2007, according to the same Cancer Research UK analysis.
Other major types of cancer – lung, bowel, prostate and breast – have seen deaths jump by only 20 per cent over the same time frame.
Liver cancer is often difficult to treat because it can be hard to spot at an early stage, when it causes few noticeable symptoms.
Hundreds of patients are aren’t given surgery because they aren’t diagnosed with the disease until it has already spread.
Instead, they receive chemotherapy and other similar treatments to slow down its progression. Five-year survival rates are as low as six per cent.
Common symptoms are jaundice, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, bouts of vomiting, itchy skin and fatigue, the NHS says.
Half of the 5,900 yearly cases are considered preventable. Drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and smoking are all linked to the disease.
Forecasts suggests cases will jump by almost 40 per cent in the next 15 years, due to soaring obesity rates and a growing population.
Despite the low survival rate, Professor Reeves said ‘potentially game-changing’ treatments are just around the corner for the disease.
She added studies have been ‘hugely promising’ – but cautioned that doctors have found it currently doesn’t work in all patients.
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: ‘A lot of progress has been made saving lives from cancer,
‘But it’s worrying to see deaths from liver cancer increasing at such an alarming rate. Far too many lives are being lost.
‘There are things we can all do to make a difference to our cancer risk and it’s never too late to make a change.
‘Keeping a healthy weight, not smoking, and drinking less alcohol will all help lower your chance of developing liver cancer.’
The findings are to be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute’s congress in Glasgow.
