A recent study forecasts that the number of liver cancer cases globally could nearly double by the year 2050

A recent study published in The Lancet has raised alarming projections regarding liver cancer, predicting that cases could increase to 1.52 million each year by 2050, up from 870,000 if current trends persist. The Global Cancer Observatory highlights that obesity, alcohol consumption, and hepatitis are significant contributors to this disease, which is already the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide. Experts are calling for urgent prevention efforts to address this concerning trend.

The number of people diagnosed with liver cancer is projected to nearly double globally by 2050 unless we take significant action against preventable factors like obesity, alcohol use, and hepatitis, a recent study highlighted on Tuesday. Current trends suggest that new cases of liver cancer—the sixth most prevalent form of cancer—could escalate to 1.52 million annually, up from 870,000 currently, based on data from the Global Cancer Observatory published in the Lancet medical journal. This type of cancer is also the third deadliest, with the study forecasting it could claim 1.37 million lives by mid-century.

Yet, experts assert that three out of five liver cancer cases are preventable. The primary risk factors identified include excessive alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, and a dangerous accumulation of fat in the liver associated with obesity, known as MASLD, previously referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A recent study published on World Hepatitis Day highlights that viruses leading to hepatitis B and C are projected to remain the primary causes of liver cancer by 2050. To combat hepatitis B effectively, vaccination at birth is crucial. However, the study points out that vaccination coverage is still significantly low in poorer regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

Without increased vaccination efforts, it's estimated that hepatitis B could claim the lives of 17 million individuals between 2015 and 2030. Moreover, alcohol consumption is forecasted to contribute to over 21 percent of liver cancer cases by 2050, marking an increase of more than two percentage points since 2022. The impact of obesity-related fat in livers is also set to rise, with projections indicating it will account for 11 percent of liver cancer cases, up by more than two percentage points from current estimates. This extensive study, which synthesizes existing evidence on liver cancer, emphasizes the urgent need for global initiatives to tackle this health crisis. Experts are advocating for enhanced public awareness around the preventable risks associated with liver cancer, especially for individuals dealing with obesity or diabetes, focusing on the growing concern of fatty-liver disease in places like the United States, Europe, and Asia.