HEALTH: Liver cancer has seen the largest increase in mortality rates of all cancer types over the past decade

By Bill Heaney

Scotland has some of the worst rates of liver disease in the world, which places us at the epicentre of an avoidable public health emergency that is fuelled by stigma and health inequalities, Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie told the Scottish Parliament this week.

Dame Jackie, who is Labour’s spokesperson on health, said: “We know that 90 per cent of liver disease is preventable and that many of the causes of liver disease, if they are tackled early with the right interventions, can be dealt with.

“However, the statistics show that mortality rates for chronic liver disease are 5.5 times higher in the most deprived areas than in the most affluent areas, which is shocking.

“Hospital stays as a result of liver disease are 4.4 times higher in the most deprived areas, and people in low-income groups are more than four times more likely to die from alcohol, and six times more likely to be hospitalised, than people in higher-income groups.

“To be frank, the difference is stark. In addition, we know that thousands have died unnecessarily without access to specialist care because liver services are consistently overlooked and under-resourced.”

She added: “Liver cancer is one of the six less survivable cancers that make up nearly half of all cancer deaths in Scotland. The reality of long waits for cancer treatment in Scotland needs to be highlighted, as we have to have a serious conversation about outcomes.

“The 62-day urgent referral target for suspected cancers has not been met since 2012. Last year was the worst year on record for Scotland’s cancer waiting times, and they continue to worsen.

“Every single health board in Scotland missed the 62-day standard this quarter, which I am sure is deeply worrying to us all. Early diagnosis and treatment is absolutely crucial in saving lives, so I welcome the innovations in diagnostics, but we need to do more to meet the 31-day and 62-day cancer treatment standards.”

Dame Jackie, left,  said that in her constituency, which includes Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Lomond, the local health board is “unfortunately, categorised as red, because there is no pathway in place for the early detection and management of liver disease.

“We need to do so much better in every area of Scotland, and we need to support the fantastic national health service staff, who are working tirelessly to deliver the standard of treatment that patients deserve.

“Long waits are putting lives on the line. The situation is especially stark when it comes to liver cancer, which has seen the largest increase in mortality rates of all cancer types over the past decade in Scotland.

It is clear that we urgently need improved preventative measures and earlier diagnosis of liver disease, as well as a proper plan to tackle inequalities and geographic variation in treatment outcomes and care.

“For a disease that is so treatable, there should be no excuse for outcomes to continue to decline year after year.

“Health inequality remains deeply entrenched in Scotland and, after 17 years of the SNP Government, it is not getting better. All members have a responsibility to try to close that gap.

“We must strengthen our NHS so that it works for all, invest in drug and alcohol treatment and bolster front-line services so that we can turn the tide on liver disease.”

“Liver disease does not discriminate, but unfortunately some folk are more at risk than others. It is imperative that we highlight the disease, not only for people who are currently suffering from it but for those who are at risk, because, unfortunately, it is a silent killer.

“As has been mentioned, people with a history of excessive alcohol use, or of obesity, and those with viral infections such as hepatitis B or C, are much more at risk of getting liver disease.”