Experts urge weight loss as Scotland sees rising rates of liver cancer

0 Gregor Mcnie of Cancer Research UK in Scotland Rates of liver cancer have increased by 21 per cent over the past decade in Scotland, official figures have revealed.

According to ISD Scotland Cancer Incidence in Scotland report, incidence rates for the illness rose from 9.5 cases per 100,000 people in 2007 to 11.6 cases per 100,000 people in 2016.

Cancer experts last night expressed concern at the rise, pointing out that being overweight was contributing to the increase. Overall the risk of developing cancer has fallen by 3 per cent over the last ten years. The risk for Scottish men decreased by 6 per cent in the ten years to 2016, but among women it increased by 2 per cent.

The number of cases diagnosed rose to 31,331 in 2016, up 3,000 from a decade earlier. This was attributed to an ageing population, with cancer more common among older people.

The data also showed that people who live in more deprived areas of Scotland are 26 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those living in the least deprived areas. Meanwhile, lung cancer remains the most common cancer in Scotland with 5,045 cases diagnosed in 2016. For the first time, more women than men were diagnosed with lung cancer.

The statistics also show the risk of developing bowel cancer – the third most common cancer – fell by 15 per cent over the ten-year period, down 18 per cent in men and 9 per cent in women.

Gregor Mcnie, Cancer Research UK’S head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “The growing number of people being diagnosed with liver cancer is of real concern. Carrying too much weight is responsible for almost three in ten liver cancer cases in Scotland. For non-smokers, being overweight or obese is the biggest preventable cause of cancer.”

Health secretary Shona Robison said the overall fall in cancer risk was “hugely encouraging”.