UK’s soaring liver cancer death rate blamed on alcohol and obesity

Liver cancer deaths in the UK have seen a staggering 40% increase over the past decade, making it the fastest-growing cause of cancer-related fatalities in the country, warns the British Liver Trust. Calling attention to the alarming rise, the charity is urging immediate measures to address the “carcinogenic effects” of inexpensive alcohol and unhealthy food.

Pamela Healy, CEO of the British Liver Trust, identifies alcohol and obesity as the key drivers behind the surge in liver cancer cases and deaths. She stresses the need for government intervention to combat these issues, asserting that such action can create a healthier environment for all. Healy emphasises the urgency of addressing the accessibility and affordability of unhealthy food, often priced significantly lower than nutritious alternatives.

This call for action comes amidst delays in implementing regulations that would prohibit supermarket multi-buy deals on high-fat, high-sugar, or high-salt foods. The Association of Directors of Public Health has also urged ministers to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol, following Scotland’s successful implementation of a minimum price of 50p per unit in 2018.

The British Liver Trust has submitted evidence to the parliamentary health and social care committee’s inquiry into future cancer care, focusing on innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. In addition to advocating for earlier detection and improved access to effective therapies, the charity emphasises the importance of prevention. Liver disease, a significant risk factor for liver cancer, can be reversed through lifestyle modifications, including reduced alcohol consumption and weight loss.

The submission by the British Liver Trust emphasises the need for upstream interventions to mitigate the carcinogenic impact of an unhealthy food and beverage environment. The charity cites evidence indicating that population-wide measures regulating the affordability and accessibility of alcohol and unhealthy food are more effective in reducing disease burden and addressing health inequalities than individual behaviour change alone.

The charity calls for a comprehensive alcohol strategy that tackles promotions and affordability. It highlights the fact that alcohol is classified as a group 1 carcinogen, known to cause at least seven types of cancer. Data from Cancer Research reveals that liver cancer mortality rates per 100,000 people in the UK have risen from 6.4 in 2007-2009 to 9.3 in 2017-2019. Primary liver cancer has one of the lowest survival rates among all cancers.

The British Liver Trust emphasises the need for enhanced surveillance of high-risk groups with liver disease to enable early diagnosis and improve survival rates. Additionally, the charity advocates for increased investment in liver cancer research.

The UK government is facing mounting pressure to take more effective action to combat obesity. Danone UK and Ireland, one of the country’s major food companies, recently suggested that the government should consider taxing products high in fat, sugar, or salt to tackle the obesity crisis.

In response to the inquiry, the Department of Health and Social Care affirms its commitment to diagnosing 75% of cancers at stages 1 and 2 by 2028. The department outlines its interventions, including community health liver checks for those at high risk of cirrhosis, with a particular focus on deprived communities.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care highlights ongoing efforts to encourage healthier food and drink choices and tackle obesity. Recognising that obesity costs the NHS approximately £6.5 billion per year and is the second leading cause of cancer, the spokesperson highlights initiatives such as calorie labelling in restaurants, cafes, and takeaways to empower individuals to make informed lifestyle choices.

The spokesperson further notes that the NHS has witnessed record numbers of cancer patients in recent years, with earlier-stage diagnoses becoming more prevalent. To support this, the government is strengthening the cancer workforce and has published the first-ever Long-Term Workforce Plan, backed by over £2.4 billion, aiming to deliver the most extensive training expansion in NHS history over the next 15 years.