Harriet Rumgay

From Risk to Action: #LiverCancer Can No Longer Be Ignored Liver cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in Europe and the world, thousands of people across the #EU and WHO European Region are diagnosed every year — and far too many will die from a disease that is largely preventable. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story, As Harriet Rumgay · Epidemiologist | PhD | IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization powerfully reminded us at the European Parliament: numbers shape policy, but patient voices drive change. What Is Driving the Rise in #LiverCancer? The growing burden of liver cancer is not accidental. It is driven by well-known and preventable risk factors: #MASLD & #MASH, linked to #obesity and metabolic disease Chronic viral #hepatitis B, C – and D, still underdiagnosed and undertreated #Alcohol-related liver disease, a major and avoidable contributor #Rareliverdiseases, often overlooked, yet carrying significant cancer risk IARC data show that liver cancer already costs Europe around #€2 billion every year in productivity losses alone — a figure expected to rise as diagnoses continue to increase. A Growing Cancer — But Also One of the Most Preventable This is the message of hope. Liver cancer is one of the most preventable cancers Through vaccination Through early detection and screening Through treatment of viral hepatitis Through policies that reduce harmful alcohol consumption Through addressing metabolic health and obesity Through better awareness of rare liver diseases Strong, evidence-based policies work Prevention works Early detection saves lives From Reactive to Personalised Care Every person is unique. Every liver disease journey is different. We must move from reactive to personalised care, where: Risk is identified earlier Patients are heard Innovation, including AI, helps save lives Health systems act before cancer develops, not after Europe Has a Plan — Now We Need Action The EU Beating Cancer Plan and Cardiovascular Health Plan trough metabolic risk factor MASLD, MASH, obesity, diabetes...gives Europe a historic opportunity to: Prioritise #liverhealth Integrate prevention into #nationalcancerstrategies and action Plan's, Reduce inequalities in diagnosis and care. Ensure no #liverdisease — and no patient — is left behind Together, We Are Stronger As ELPA, together with researchers like Harriet Rumgay & IACR IARC IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization, patient advocates, clinicians, academy, stakeholders and policymakers, we know this: #Livercancer does not have to be Europe’s next public health crisis. With strong policies, prevention, and patient-centred care, we can change the future. Now is the time to listen, act, and turn risk into action @my_ueg @EASLnews @OliverVarhelyi @Marko_Korenjak