Harriet Rumgay

Cancer epidemiologist @IARCWHO @GLOBOCAN_GCO. Interests include #NoTobacco #AlcoholAndCancer #CDoH #LiverCancer #Rstats #RLadies. Views my own

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

Our latest study is out in @TheLancetOncol today!

We found that 1⃣ in 3⃣ cases of oral cancer are linked to smokeless tobacco & areca nut globally.

In countries like 🇧🇩🇮🇳🇵🇰🇵🇬, where use is most common, specific products account for up to 84% of cases.
🔗https://t.co/mhk6HQiH9z

[IARC @IARCWHO]

Up to 4 in 10 cancer cases could be prevented says🆕global analysis from IARC & @WHO.
Study examines 30 preventable causes including #tobacco, #alcohol, high #BMI, physical inactivity, air pollution, UV radiation & for 1st time, 9 cancer-causing infections
https://t.co/Hh3XJLm3sW

[The Parliament Magazine @Parlimag]

@EuropeLiver’s event, co-hosted by @NicosPapandreou and @TomislavSokol, was clear: with the right early intervention and proper investment in screening, Europe can effectively manage its current growing liver disease crisis. Partner content

[CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians @CACancerJournal]

This new editorial by Dr. Fernando Neves Hugo of @NYUDental comments on the recent @IARCWHO article on global incidence of lip, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancers by subsite in 2022.

https://t.co/4x2E5pVVwJ

@OncoAlert

[IARC @IARCWHO]

IARC’s Dr Harriet Rumgay delivered a keynote at @EuropeLiver’s “From Risk to Action: Preventing Liver Health Crises through NCD Literacy & Care” event, on liver #cancer epidemiology & risk factors e.g., hepatitis B & C, alcohol, 🚬, overweight & obesity
https://t.co/GgfZl7k2HM

[European Liver Patients' Association @EuropeLiver]

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

[European Liver Patients' Association @EuropeLiver]

🚨 #Cardiovasculardisease #CVD remains the No.#1 #killer in #Europe—and #MASLD/#MASH is one of its fastest-growing drivers. At the same time, #livercancer is now the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths globally, demanding urgent prevention, early detection, and innovation in care.
#MASLD / #MASH is the hidden link behind #cardiovascular disease and #livercancer — Europe’s silent #emergency.

👉Over 25% -30% of the European population has some form of fatty liver disease (MASLD/MASH)

💶 Pharmacoeconomic Perspective: Prevention Saves Lives and Money

Prevention and early detection are not costs — they are the most cost-effective investment in public health.
Every euro invested in screening, health education, non-invasive tests, and diagnostic innovation returns multiple-fold ROI by reducing complications, hospitalisations, and premature deaths.

🗓 On 4 December 2025 at the European Parliament, ELPA together with different stakeholders, experts and EU decision-makers will push for a new European agenda built on awareness, prevention, education, advocacy, innovation, early detection, and screening for all liver conditions.

We call for:

➡️ Mandatory liver screening integrated into #EUNCD strategies
➡️ Recognition of #MASLD/#MASH as a major #cardiovascular #riskfactor
➡️ Strong implementation of the #EUCancerPlan with emphasis on #livercancer
➡️ #Prevention-first approaches supported by continuous education
➡️ Investment in innovation in diagnostics and medical technologies
➡️ Early detection and equal access to high-quality liver care across Europe

This high-level session unites leading voices shaping Europe’s health future:

🔸 MEPs Andras Kulja MD & Aurelijus Veryga – driving EU health leadership
🔸 Harriet Rumgay (IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer / World Health Organization) – liver cancer epidemiology & global burden
🔸 Prof. Manuel Castro Cabezas (Erasmus MC MC) – metabolic risk, MASLD & cardiovascular disease
🔸 Giacomo Donnini (Global Liver Institute) – global patient advocacy
🔸 MSc Milan Mishkovikj, M.A. (ELPA) – the European liver patient voice at the highest political level

💬 The message is clear:
Europe cannot win the fight against #cardiovascular disease, #cancer, or metabolic disorders without addressing #MASLD/#MASH and #livercancer now.

💛 As ELPA, we stand united with European and global partners, scientists, and policymakers to protect 200 million Europeans living with liver conditions.

👉 Liver health is #publichealth.
Awareness is prevention.
#Screening is #earlydetection.
#Innovation transforms outcomes.
#Advocacy saves lives.

European Vision: From Organs to Systems, from Patients to Communities The Most Expensive Silence in European Healthcare

#ELPA #MASLD #MASH #LiverCancer #CardiovascularHealthPlan #EUCancerPlan #Screening #PreventionFirst #Innovation #GlobalLiverInstitute #IARC #EuropeanParliament #NCDs #LiverHealthNow The Parliament #Hepatitis B,C, D, #alcohol #Transplantation #RareLiverDisease
@IARCWHO @EUScienceInnov @EU_Commission @OliverVarhelyi @WHO @ErasmusMC

[CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians @CACancerJournal]

New study from @HarrietJR_ @IARCWHO provides a 🌍 snapshot of lip, oral cavity, & pharynx cancer incidence, discussing:

✔️ Distinct risk factors
✔️ Targeted prevention/early detection policies
✔️ Need for adequate treatment resources

https://t.co/uypHsSDsbM

@OncoAlert

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

The 4 most common oral diseases are:
🔸 tooth decay
🔸 gum disease
🔸 tooth loss
🔸 oral cancers

Fortunately, most cases are preventable and can be treated in their early stages.

Learn more about #OralHealth: https://t.co/RAZVQORHJy

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

... and in their infographic on the impact of different levels of alcohol consumption on the global burden of cancer!

Amazing to have support from top public health leadership @Surgeon_General on this issue 🙏

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

Last week, the US @Surgeon_General released an Advisory stating that drinking alcohol can increase cancer risk, and calling for warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

They also cited our work in the report and in their infographic on how alcohol can cause cancer!

[U.S. Surgeon General @Surgeon_General]

NEW: Today, I’m releasing a Surgeon General’s Advisory on the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. Alcohol is the 3rd leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., contributing to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year.

[CNN Breaking News @cnnbrk]

US Surgeon General warns alcohol is a "leading preventable cause of cancer," with risk of certain cancers increasing after one or fewer drinks per day
https://t.co/qxzebijqh0

[IARC @IARCWHO]

IARC co-hosted side event on “Preventing #OralCancer: A Collaborative Global Approach to Early Detection & Risk Reduction” at @WHO #GlobalOralHealthMeeting2024 in Bangkok,🇹🇭. Participants discussed awareness, tobacco, areca nut, #alcohol, #HPV, & detection https://t.co/vxnG9x2GdB

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

Later today, we're hosting a side event on prevention and early detection of #oralcancer on behalf of the @IARC Oral Cancer Team 🤝

We'll highlight the impact of tobacco, areca nut & alcohol on oral cancer and showcase real examples of oral cancer screening in communities. (2/2)

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

What a privilege to be here at the @WHO's first ever #GlobalOralHealthMeeting2024!

This week, Member States will be working on their national oral health roadmaps to support better implementation of the #GlobalOralHealthActionPlan. (1/2)
#UHCforOralHealth #OralHealthForAll

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

I'll be providing the @IARCWHO perspective on the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Global Abdominal Imaging Forum this Friday!

Join us online to learn about the burden, diagnosis and staging of the most common type of #livercancer.

Register here https://t.co/YsowD66Dbq

[Society of Abdominal Radiology | SAR @SocietyAbdRad]

Don’t miss out on the upcoming Global Abdominal Imaging Forum — one-day virtual event on Friday, November 8, dedicated to the topic of Hepatocellular Carcinoma!

Participation is free of charge. Learn more here: https://t.co/uOKZdi6Ru5

#SAR#ASAR #GlobalImaging#HCC

[ESGAR @EsgarSociety]

🙌Only 3 days to go! We can’t wait to share valuable insights on HCC with you. Your enthusiasm says it all - registrations have nearly tripled since early October! 📈 https://t.co/eAC26Gry8i @SocietyAbdRad @arganz_online

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

Our article on smokeless tobacco and areca nut has been used for the cover of the latest issue of @TheLancetOncol!😍

Very vivid image of the carcinogenic nature of chewing smokeless tobacco and areca nut!
🔗https://t.co/x6G9RWBt2L

[The Lancet Oncology @TheLancetOncol]

The November issue is now live https://t.co/tyRoZxwb4X

Explore the issue for our latest Commission on #radiotherapy and #theranostics, an article on oral cancers attributable smokeless tobacco and areca nut consumption, #breastcancer, #lungcancer, #livercancer and more

[Harriet Rumgay @HarrietJR_]

Proud of @JuliaReyB for leading this study 👏

We found that a Tobacco-Free Generation policy prohibiting tobacco sales to those born in 2006–2010 could prevent 1.2 million lung cancer deaths in this cohort globally🚭🌍

Details in #openaccess article👇
https://t.co/eRIagr0zDf

[IARC @IARCWHO]

🆕#IARCpaper in @TheLancetPH shows prohibiting sale of tobacco🚭 to ppl born in 2006-10 could prevent 1.2 million #LungCancer deaths by 2095.
1st-of-kind study💪evidence that adopting endgame strategies beyond @WHO @FCTCofficial could📉 lung #cancer deaths
https://t.co/Mc1JUGU0Jg

[The Lancet Oncology @TheLancetOncol]

Online first:

Global burden of oral cancer attributable to smokeless tobacco and areca nut consumption #oralcancer #smokelesstobacco
https://t.co/spkmygTnKz

[IARC @IARCWHO]

New #IARCpaper shows 1⃣ in 3⃣ cases of #OralCancer👅 globally are due to smokeless #tobacco & #areca nut🌰 use.
In 2022, more than 120 000 cases of oral #cancer were caused by these risk factors.
https://t.co/L3KZRssKBb