The number of liver cancer cases in the UK has tripled during the last 30 years, new research shows.
Figures released by Cancer Research UK today show that in 1975 there were just 865 cases, compared to the 3,108 cases of primary liver cancer diagnosed in 2006.
Secondary or metastatic liver cancer – cancer that has spread to the liver from a primary tumour elsewhere in the body – is a relatively common disease.
However, primary liver cancer- when cancer originates in the liver - has been relatively rare in the UK, until recently, health experts claim.
The rise in cases has been attributed to three main factors: the increase in alcohol consumption, obesity and hepatitis C. Each of these factors can lead to cirrhosis which in turn may develop into primary liver cancer.
Matt Seymour, Cancer Research UK's professor of gastrointestinal cancer medicine at the University of Leeds said: 'Three main risk factors for liver cirrhosis – alcohol, obesity and hepatitis C infection – are getting more common in the UK. So we are seeing more patients with cirrhosis and, in turn, more patients with primary liver cancer.
'This is likely to continue. There is a long delay between exposure to the risk factors and the onset of cancer. It might take between 20 and 40 years for liver cancer to develop after infection with hepatitis C. So even if new cases of infection stopped, the number of cases of cancer would continue to rise for some years.'
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer information, added it was important for people to realise how their risk of liver cancer can be reduced by changes to lifestyle.
She said: 'Cutting down on alcohol and watching your weight will help to reduce the risk of a wide range of cancers including primary liver cancer.
'Taking plenty of exercise and eating a balanced diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in fatty foods, red and processed meat can all help towards keeping a healthy weight.'
Figures released by Cancer Research UK today show that in 1975 there were just 865 cases, compared to the 3,108 cases of primary liver cancer diagnosed in 2006.
Secondary or metastatic liver cancer – cancer that has spread to the liver from a primary tumour elsewhere in the body – is a relatively common disease.
However, primary liver cancer- when cancer originates in the liver - has been relatively rare in the UK, until recently, health experts claim.
The rise in cases has been attributed to three main factors: the increase in alcohol consumption, obesity and hepatitis C. Each of these factors can lead to cirrhosis which in turn may develop into primary liver cancer.
Matt Seymour, Cancer Research UK's professor of gastrointestinal cancer medicine at the University of Leeds said: 'Three main risk factors for liver cirrhosis – alcohol, obesity and hepatitis C infection – are getting more common in the UK. So we are seeing more patients with cirrhosis and, in turn, more patients with primary liver cancer.
'This is likely to continue. There is a long delay between exposure to the risk factors and the onset of cancer. It might take between 20 and 40 years for liver cancer to develop after infection with hepatitis C. So even if new cases of infection stopped, the number of cases of cancer would continue to rise for some years.'
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer information, added it was important for people to realise how their risk of liver cancer can be reduced by changes to lifestyle.
She said: 'Cutting down on alcohol and watching your weight will help to reduce the risk of a wide range of cancers including primary liver cancer.
'Taking plenty of exercise and eating a balanced diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in fatty foods, red and processed meat can all help towards keeping a healthy weight.'
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