“An urgent need for global action. In a study published Monday, July 28, in the medical journal The Lancet, several international experts alert on the increase in cases of liver cancer worldwide.
In 2022, the World Cancer Observatory identified 866,000 cases, making this cancer the most frequent 6th. In 25 years, this number could reach 1.52 million per year, almost double. In 2022, the International Center for Research on Cancer already alerted to this increase.
Eight out of ten are hepatocellular carcinomas, a particularly present form in East Asia, North Africa and Southeast Asia. The publication of the “Lancet” comes from a commission specially dedicated to these forms.
Avoidable cancers thanks to vaccination
About fifty researchers from six countries, including France, has screened the studies and available data in order to offer recommendations. They thus call for global efforts to fight against these cancers, at 60 % due to avoidable factors.
In the first title, we find viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B count for 39 % of cases of liver cancer today, and hepatitis C for 29.1 %. Against these diseases, vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention. In France, the infection vaccine, including blood or sexual intercourse, has been compulsory since 2018 among newborns.
Globally, vaccination coverage was estimated at 84 % by the WHO in 2024. On the other hand “coverage remains low in Africa and in regions with low resources” because of its “cost, reluctance to be vaccinated and the ignorance of its effectiveness” and for lack of vaccine obligation, says the study.
Then come alcohol consumption and liver steatosis. Also called “non -alcoholic foie gras”, this pathology is notably associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
To limit the increase in the number of liver cancers, the Commission made 10 proposals to governments. Among them, the intensification of vaccination efforts, a minimum price per unit of alcohol and prevention campaigns. Thus, they hope to avoid between 7.7 and 15.1 million dead by 2050.
