The Lack of Liver Cancer Awareness in Scotland

By Sophie Kerr

There are almost 5,800 dead in the UK caused by liver cancer. Over the past decade cases have risen by 42%. 

Louise Wallace who is 34 years old began having stomach pains in 2020, for three weeks Louise believed she just had stomach pains and chose to ignore it. She only decided to get checked as her partner repeatedly told her to go to the doctor and with this, she was advised to get bloods taken. 

The very next day she got a phone call to get a CT scan showing signs of cholangiocarcinoma, which is an aggressive type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts and carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. Louise is now cancer free and is meeting with MSPs at Holyrood to mark World Cholangiocarcinoma.  

Liver Cancer UK has joined One Cancer Voice which is a combination of over 60 cancer charities trying to get the governments attention to prioritise treatment of cancers, especially liver cancer that is rising rapidly. One Cancer Voice is hoping to get an investment as without it, waiting times, treatments and diagnosis will all be delayed.  

Liver cancer is now the 8th most common cause of death, as only 13% of people who are diagnosed survive for five years. There are many factors that cause liver cancer including alcohol consumption, obesity and hepatitis infections being the leading cause.  

Currently cases are rising in younger people, including those that don’t consume alcohol. There are multiple ways to prevent yourself from getting liver cancer, the main ways are by getting vaccinated against hepatitis B it significantly reduces HBV infections and future cancer risks and cutting down on your alcohol intake will benefit your liver in prevention of cancer.