The British Liver Trust has welcomed the Government’s new National Cancer Plan, published today. We were delighted to see that Government had listened to our advocacy and that the plan will address rarer and less common cancers including liver cancer. It sets out a bold ambition to improve survival rates and early diagnosis – by 2035, three in four people diagnosed with cancer will be cancer-free or living well five years after diagnosis.
For people affected by liver cancer, that ambition matters — but only if it is delivered.
Liver cancer survival remains unacceptably low. Only 13% of patients survive five years, largely because too many people are diagnosed late and struggle to access specialist care and clinical trials. Every day, 17 people in the UK die from liver cancer, making it the fastest-rising cause of cancer death in the country.
The British Liver Trust welcomes the Plan’s clear focus on rare and less common cancers, earlier diagnosis, specialist MDT care, genomics, and tackling health inequalities. After years of slow progress for less survivable cancers, this represents a real opportunity for change. The Liver Cancer Health Check programme will also be expanded.
Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said:
“Liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK, and most people are diagnosed when is too late for effective treatment, and sadly only 13% survive for more than five years. We are delighted that the Cancer Plan will address early diagnosis of rarer types of cancer and will introduce a personalised cancer plan.
“Liver cancer patients have really complex treatment needs, due to often having an underlying liver condition to manage alongside the cancer. This new personalised approach will ensure that people have supportive services delivered in a coordinated joined-up way, which is truly centred on the individual.”
Why this Plan matters for liver cancer
If delivered at pace, the Plan’s commitments could be transformational for liver cancer, including:
- Earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, with cancer waiting time standards restored by 2029
- Expanded diagnostic capacity, including Community Diagnostic Centres operating extended hours
- Greater access to specialist MDTs for rarer cancers
- Improved use of genomics to guide treatment and clinical trial access
- Targeted action on inequalities, where liver cancer outcomes are worst
- Personalised care package and integration with the NHS app.
This matters because liver cancer is often diagnosed too late. Symptoms are vague and easily missed, and around 40% of cases are diagnosed via emergency routes, when outcomes are poorest. Identifying and monitoring people at highest risk — particularly those with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease — must be a priority.
Inequalities cannot be ignored
Liver cancer is one of the starkest examples of health inequality in England. Men in the most deprived areas are twice as likely to develop liver cancer as those in the least deprived; women face rates 58% higher. The Plan’s £200 million Neighbourhood Early Diagnosis Fund is welcome — but liver cancer must be explicitly prioritised within this investment.
Rare cancers, research and innovation
We also welcome commitments to implement the Rare Cancers Bill, strengthen national leadership for rare and less common cancers, and accelerate research and innovation. For liver cancer, where the evidence base is limited and access to trials remains inconsistent, this focus is long overdue.
Our call to action
The ambition to reach 75% five-year cancer survival by 2035 is rightly described as a moonshot. For liver cancer, it will only be achieved through clear prioritisation, sustained funding and accountability.
The British Liver Trust stands ready to work with Government, the NHS and partners across the system to ensure this Plan delivers real, measurable change for everyone affected by liver cancer.
For liver cancer patients, this Plan must be more than hopeful words. It must be a turning point.
You can read the full plan here