October is
Liver Cancer
Awareness Month
This year’s campaign: Liver Cancer doesn’t discriminate
This October, we mark Liver Cancer Awareness Month 2025 with a powerful message: liver cancer can affect anyone. Our campaign highlights influential figures throughout history who faced this disease, reminding us that anyone might have to face the disease, as liver cancer doesn’t discriminate based on age, fame, legacy or where you live.
Looking back at the past, we aim to inspire change in the present by bringing more awareness and encouraging earlier detection and prevention through everyday lifestyle choices.
Why the liver matters
The liver is one of the body’s most vital organs. It filters toxins, supports digestion, regulates metabolism, and stores energy. When cancer develops in the liver, all of these functions are at risk.
Types of liver cancer
Incidence of liver cancer of around 26/100,000 and a mortality of 22/100,000 for the year 2020.
The leading primary liver cancers comprise of:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and
- Cholangiocarcinoma,
- While other neoplasms, such as primary hepatic adenosquamous carcinoma, are rare
Protecting your liver
You can reduce your risk by:
- 1 Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B
- 2 Testing and treating hepatitis C
- 3 Limiting alcohol
- 4 Avoiding smoking
- 5 Keeping up with check-ups and screenings if you’re at risk
- 6 Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
- 7 Living a healthy, active lifestyle
United Against Liver Cancer
DiCE has been working closely with the European Association for Study of the Liver (EASL), The European Liver Patient Association (ELPA), The International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) and the International Liver Cancer Movement (ILCM) throughout the year.
United Against Liver Cancer, we aim to raise awareness about liver cancer and the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and best practice care.
To take part in this year’s Liver Cancer Awareness Month and help us raise awareness, encourage healthier choices, and push for earlier detection that saves lives. Join us by sharing our campaign materials and amplifying the message.
What patients tell us
“On the night between May 19th and 20th, I felt a strong pain under the right rib, intense and short, like a stab. The following day, although the pain had disappeared, I performed an abdominal ultrasound on myself, which showed a surprise: a mass occupying almost the entire left side of the liver.”
Emanuela
“Receiving the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was terrible but, above all, unexpected, given the initial premises of the diagnosis of cavernous angioma. I never thought that my life could change so drastically.”
Laura
“The increasing burden of liver cancer due to hepatitis B and C across Europe highlights a need to scale up responses.
It is critical that public health authorities establish interventions adapted to their local context, with special consideration to vulnerable populations such as people who inject drugs, migrant populations and people in prison, who often face multiple health needs that increase their risk of liver disease.
A successful approach requires a combination of prevention, testing and treatment measures. These include vaccination against hepatitis B, harm reduction measures for people who inject drugs and access to targeted screening, diagnostic services and antiviral treatment for individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B and C to reduce the risk of liver cancer.”
Dr. Erika Duffell
Principal Expert Communicable Disease Prevention and Control
Download campaign materials
Social Media Calendar
Social Media Templates
White Paper
White Paper Summary
HCC P&D Executive Summary
LCI Executive Summary
Key Facts
Cost of Liver Cancer
Prevention
Taking action against liver cancer starts with prevention. Prevention is more effective than any cure. Many liver cancers could be prevented by tackling known risk factors for this disease, which include viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity. You can lower your risk by minimising your alcohol consumption, quitting smoking (or not starting at all) and taking care of your health through exercise, for example making sure you take regular walks.
DiCE has developed StepApp®, a free step counter app that raises awareness for digestive cancers across Europe. It empowers you to stay motivated and fit while helping positively impact society.
Through StepApp®, Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) and our Member Organisations are raising awareness of digestive cancers and the importance of prevention, screening, and early diagnosis.
StepApp® is available on Google Play and App Store.
