Liver cancer cases continue to rise in England.

This comes as NHS data, published this week, reveals a 5.4 percent increase in liver cancer across the country.

The new data shows that new cases of liver cancer grew from 7,672 in 2020 to 8,085 in 2022, which included 4,700 new cases in males and 3,385 in females.

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Liver Cancer UK, part of the British Liver Trust, is calling for urgent action.

The rise in liver cancer cases is attributed to several factors.

80 per cent of people with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, have an underlying liver disease.

It is thought that one in three people in the UK are at risk of liver disease due to harmful levels of alcohol consumption, rising obesity rates, and the growing prevalence of hepatitis infections.

Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the the trust, said: "We cannot ignore this rising tide of liver cancer.

"The NHS statistics published today highlight an urgent public health issue that demands immediate attention and action.

"Liver cancer is often preventable, and the majority of people who are diagnosed will have an underlying liver condition.

"Improving liver health and surveillance of people with liver disease is vital to reduce the number of people losing their lives to liver cancer."

Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at NHS Nottingham University Hospital, said: "Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding drinking alcohol excessively and protecting yourself against viral hepatitis are the best ways to prevent both liver disease and liver cancer."