The British Liver Trust, a prominent health charity, has highlighted a significant increase in liver cancer cases, which they attribute to the consumption of cheap alcohol and junk food. Over the past decade, unhealthy diets have contributed to a 40% rise in fatalities from liver cancer. This has made liver cancer the fastest rising cause of cancer deaths in the UK, with mortality rates more than tripling since the 1970s.
Pamela Healy, the CEO of the British Liver Trust, emphasized the need for government intervention to address the issue. She stated that excessive alcohol consumption and obesity are the main driving forces behind the increase in liver cancer cases and deaths. Healy called for urgent action to tackle the accessibility and affordability of unhealthy food, which is often cheaper than healthier alternatives.
These concerns raised by the British Liver Trust come after the government’s recent decision to postpone the implementation of regulations that would ban multi-buy deals on foods high in fat, salt, or sugar. The Association of Directors of Public Health has also called for minimum pricing on alcohol, citing Scotland’s successful implementation of this measure in 2018.
The charity has submitted evidence on the rising rates of liver cancer to a parliamentary health committee inquiry, which focuses on innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The submission emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, improved access to effective treatment, and a greater emphasis on prevention. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and reduced alcohol consumption can help reverse liver disease, the main risk factor for developing liver cancer.
The British Liver Trust advocates for population-wide measures that regulate the affordability and accessibility of alcohol and unhealthy food, as they have been proven to be more effective in reducing disease than solely relying on individual behavior change. The charity urges the government to implement a comprehensive alcohol strategy that addresses promotions and affordability, highlighting the link between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer.
Liver cancer has one of the lowest survival rates among all cancers, with only 13% of those diagnosed living for five years or more. Approximately 6,000 cases of primary liver cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, averaging around 16 cases per day.
The Department of Health, in its submission to the inquiry, expresses its commitment to diagnosing 75% of all cancers early, at stage 1 or stage 2, by 2028. Measures to combat liver cancer include community health checks for individuals at high risk of cirrhosis. The department spokesperson mentioned that efforts to promote healthier food and drink choices and address obesity include calorie labeling in restaurants, cafes, and takeaways. Obesity is the second leading cause of cancer and costs the NHS approximately £6.5 billion annually.
In conclusion, the British Liver Trust’s call for action on cheap alcohol and junk food highlights the pressing need to address the rise in liver cancer cases. Government intervention, including regulating the affordability and accessibility of unhealthy products, as well as promoting healthier lifestyles, is crucial in combating this deadly disease.
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