"Beware: The Sneaky Symptoms of the UK’s ‘Fastest Rising Cancer’ That Could Be Misinterpreted as Flu – Deaths Jump by 41%"

A CANCER that creeps up quietly, spotted when it’s too late – 60 per cent of patients will die within a year of their diagnosis.

They are tragic statistics, and only getting worse, prompting experts to warn of the ‘subtle signs’ people often dismiss as every day niggles that could in fact be the difference between life and death.

Liver cancer is one of the most challenging forms of the disease to treat due to late diagnosisCredit: Alamy Knowing the subtle signs of liver cancer could save your life

It’s common to feel or a lack of energy at this time of year, or the symptoms of a winter bug like flu, norovirus or the common cold.

But feeling ‘generally unwell’, or having ‘symptoms like flu’ are just some of the vague and all-too-common signs that could indicate something more serious.

While , and are the leading cancers that claim the lives of Brits, another stealth form of the disease is surging in the UK.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show in England and Wales rose from 4,163 in 2013 to 5,875 in 2024, an overall increase of 41 per cent.

In the UK, now accounts for 1.04 per cent of all cancer deaths – up from 0.84 per cent in 2023, making it the eighth leading cause of cancer death.

Liver Cancer UK says 6,200 people in the UK die of the disease every year – that’s the equivalent of 17 per day.

Almost the same number (6,000) are told they have the disease each year, too.

The number of cases has risen the second fastest amongst the 20 most common types of cancer over the past decade in the UK.

Globally, it’s the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer, claiming the lives of rock legend aged 69 and at just 27.

Pamela Healy OBE, the chief executive at the British Liver Trust, said: “This data paints a bleak picture for people diagnosed with liver cancer.”

She said to prevent so many people from facing an early grave “we urgently need a comprehensive public health strategy which includes expanding access to screening and early detection services”.

She says lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors must be promoted, and there needs to be increased public awareness about liver cancer symptoms.

There have been huge advances in liver cancer , particularly in recent years. For example, the Government is fast-tracking cutting-edge non-invasive procedures like histotripsy.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) was the first hospital in Europe to deliver histotripsy treatment to a patient outside of a clinical trial this October.

Liver cancer is often undetected until these late stages because symptoms usually take a long time to show and are not unique to liver cancer

Liver Cancer UK

The treatment uses focused ultrasound waves to destroy tumours more precisely – and 80-year-old Roger Jackson, from Bedford, was the first NHS patient to undergo the treatment for liver cancer.

But liver cancer still remains one of the most challenging forms of the disease, often because it is not detected in a ‘curable’ stage.

There are three main forms of primary liver cancer, with hepatocellular carcinoma being the most common.

David Bowie died in January 2016 after secretly battling liver cancerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Currently, only around 13 per cent of people diagnosed with liver cancer will survive for five years or more and just 8 per cent will survive for ten years, according to Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

Just 40 per cent survive a year after their diagnosis. By contrast, the overall one-year survival rate for all cancers is 70 per cent.

Liver cancer was ranked as ‘‘ by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT).

There are no for liver cancer like there are for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

“Liver cancer is often not diagnosed until it is too advanced for treatment to be a realistic option,” says Liver Cancer UK.

“Liver cancer is often undetected until these late stages because symptoms usually take a long time to show and are not unique to liver cancer. Meaning they are hard to distinguish from symptoms of more common and less serious conditions.”

THE EASY-T0-MISS SYMPTOMS

Liver Cancer UK , part of the British Liver Trust, said liver cancer often presents with ‘subtle symptoms’, making early diagnosis challenging.

It might just feel like something’s off, a loss of appetite or a lingering , for example.

Some of the most vague symptoms of liver cancer are:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue/feeling tired or having no energy
• Feeling generally unwell
• Having symptoms like flu
• Symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling full very quickly when eating
• Unexplained weight loss

You should also look out for:

• Abdominal pain or swelling that is unrelated to eating
• A lump in the right side of your tummy
• Pain at the top right side of your tummy or in your right shoulder

As the disease advances and the tumour gets bigger, it can block the flow of bile from the liver. This can lead to:

• – one of the most recognisable symptoms of the disease, causing the whites of the eyes to turn yellow
• Dark urine
• Pale, putty-colured poo
• Persistent

TikTok star Rachel Yaffe tragically passed away aged 27Credit: TikTok/@rachelkyaffe

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Anyone can get liver cancer. But there are certain groups of people who are most in danger.

It is twice as common in men (4,100 new cases per year) as it is in women (2,100) in the UK, according to the Liver Cancer UK.

And, like most cancers, the risk increases with age, though it’s not just a disease that strikes old people.

Liver cancer becomes more of a threat for people once they hit the age of 40.

Meanwhile, a 2023 analysis of liver cancer data on behalf of Liver Cancer UK shows that liver cancer rates across the UK are linked with deprivation.

In England, the rate of liver cancer in men from the most deprived areas (21 in 100,000 people) is double the rate in men living in the least deprived areas (11 in 100,000).

These risk factors are outside of our control.

Can YOU take action to reduce your risk of liver cancer? Use the quick Risk Checker at livercanceruk.org/liver-cancer-risk-checker/

Some 10 per cent of liver cancer cases in the UK are caused by infections, such as (hepatitis B and C). They are primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids.

But lifestyle factors are responsible for a larger proportion of cases.

Dr Anya Adair, Consultant Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgeon at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, said: “Certain people are at an elevated risk for liver cancer, including those with chronic liver diseases resulting in cirrhosis.”

Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is severely scarred due to long-term damage.

Dr Adair adds: “This can be due to multiple causes including a history of heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, hepatitis and autoimmune diseases affecting the liver.”

• 20 per cent of liver cancer cases in the UK are caused by .
• 7 per cent are caused by , which leads to cirrhosis.
• And 23 per cent are caused by and obesity, which can cause

HOW TO PREVENT LIVER CANCER

Experts say the majority of liver cancer cases can be prevented – up to half, according to CRUK.

How to reduce the risk of obesity…

ADOPTING healthy lifestyle habits, including balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can help prevent obesity.

Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, control portion sizes, and reduce intake of sugary drinks and .

The NHS also advises people aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity.

Getting enough and managing can also help.

How to cut down on alcohol…

IF you regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, the recommends some simple tips to help you cut down.

These include making a plan before you start drinking – set a limit on how much you’re going to drink.

Letting friends and family know you’re cutting down so you can get support from them.

And going for smaller-sized drinks and alcohol with a lower strength (ABV in per cent).

How to prevent viral hepatitis…

TO prevent viral hepatitis, focus on vaccination for hepatitis A and B, practising safe , and avoiding contact with infected blood.

Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are available and highly effective.

There isn’t a vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention relies on other measures.

The NHS says to use consistently and correctly to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B and C through sexual contact.

Avoid sharing needles and other injection equipment, and ensure proper sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly when travelling to areas with higher risk of hepatitis A and E.

Being aware of the symptoms of liver cancer, should they arise, may also help you get treated quicker.