A SURGE in liver cancer fatalities could be on the way according to a leading charity.

Covid-19 and a lack of awareness could lead to more deaths caused by the illness according to British Liver Trust. A survey by YouGov during October, which is Liver Cancer Awareness month, revealed that 47 per cent of British people would delay a doctor's appointment during the pandemic despite suffering loss of appetite, nausea or a swollen stomach.

Liver cancer has the highest mortality rates in the UK as symptoms can appear when the illness has progressed.

Dr Abid Suddle, medical advisor to the trust said: "These findings once again highlight a worrying lack of awareness and common misconceptions about liver cancer."

"Unless we take action now, this will lead to a surge in liver cancer deaths in the future."

People with cancer are also at risk of becoming serious ill due to Covid-19.

The charity has launched a fact sheet for sufferers providing information on the support available