Cases of primary liver cancer rise

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In 1975, there was just 865 cases of cancer that originated in the liver, but this rose to 3,108 in 2006, the latest UK figures show.

The rate of primary liver cancer almost tripled from 1.4 per 100,000 in 1975 to 3.9 in 2006.

Secondary or metastatic liver cancer - cancer that has spread to the liver from a tumour elsewhere in the body - is a relatively common disease but primary liver cancer has been rare until now.

Experts say the rise in drinking levels, obesity and hepatitis C is causing cirrhosis of the liver, which can 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."

Hepatitis C is commonly spread by drug users but in the 1960s and 1980s, people did catch it from contaminated blood transfusions.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said: "While this increase is a concern, it is important for people to understand how their risk of liver cancer can be reduced by changes to lifestyle. 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."