Death rates from liver cancer double in the last 20 years

Liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK, according to new data from our Cancer Intelligence team. The analysis shows that death rates from liver cancer are almost twice as high as they were 20 years ago. 

In the past 20 years, liver cancer has killed around 81,300 people across the UK. It’s expected to kill even more in the next 15 years, causing around 135,000 deaths. 

While most cancer types are seeing a decrease in death rates, liver cancer is one of the few cancer types where an increase in death rates is projected. The disease remains an ongoing challenge, with death rates projected to increase a further 10% by 2040. 

But with collective efforts, these projected figures may not become a reality.  

Making lifelong routines from resolutions 

Overall, around half of liver cancer cases are preventable, so there are things we can all do to help reduce the risk of the disease. Almost a quarter of liver cancer cases are caused by excess weight and obesity, and more than a fifth are caused by smoking. 

“This January, try to build healthy habits that last to reduce your risk of cancer. Keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, and cutting back on alcohol can make all the difference,” said Sophia Lowes, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK.

Older age groups are also seeing steeper increases in liver cancer cases and deaths, which could be partly due to their past higher rates of smoking and drinking.  

Regardless of your age, being diagnosed with liver cancer is never easy, but being diagnosed at an early stage can help increase the chances of survival. It’s also important to look out for the signs and symptoms of the disease. 

“Signs and symptoms of liver cancer include unexplained weight loss, jaundice – the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes – itching, feeling sick, or having a swollen tummy,” continued Lowes.  

“But whether it’s one of these symptoms or not, you know your body best. If you spot something that’s not normal for you, talk to your doctor. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but it’s best to get it checked out.” 

Turning the tide on liver cancer 

In 2025, we urge the UK Government to help support people in living healthier lives. Focusing on prevention, alongside a 10-year NHS plan, could help decrease liver cancer rates in the UK. 

“The UK Government has the opportunity to help people live more healthily, which could save thousands of lives, and save the NHS millions,” said Dr Ian Walker, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy. 

“One of the key risk factors for liver cancer is smoking, which is why we are asking all MPs to support the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. It’s essential that this is passed into law as soon as possible, to bring us closer to a smokefree UK and a future free from the harms of tobacco.” 

New year, new discovery 

Currently, just 13% of people diagnosed with liver cancer in England will survive their disease for five years or more, but advancements in research can help change that. The progress we’ve made for hard-to-treat cancers, such as our progress in lung cancer, serves as a powerful reminder that we can make strides for all diseases, including liver cancer.  

We’ve invested over £20m in liver cancer research to improve prevention, detection and treatment methods. This includes HUNTER, an international project aiming to improve immunotherapy as a treatment for liver cancer. By harnessing the power of international collaboration and innovative research, we can improve survival rates and give people with cancer more time with their loved ones. 

We’re also researching new tests to spot the disease and investigating the factors that can cause cancer to develop in liver ducts, which could help to develop new tests to spot the disease.  

Meaningful progress in research, like this, can take us one step closer to increasing survival for years to come.