Increasing incidence and mortality related to liver cancer in Australia: time to turn the tide

In Australia, the five year survival rate for liver cancer is only 18%. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer,  over the last three decades has significantly increased. A new study has reviewed the age-standardised incidence and mortality for all types of liver cancer in Australia by state between 1982-2015. The results demonstrated that incidence of liver cancer has increased by an average of nearly 5% annually and while the mortality increased by 3%. The highest incidence was found in the Northern Territory followed by Victoria and New South Wales. The poor survival rates associated with liver cancer contribute to the need for a greater focus on reducing this burden of disease and improving current surveillance recommendations.   Read the full text