Rethink Liver Cancer 2024

AMMF’s Awareness Campaign is launched


AMMF’s Rethink Liver Cancer campaign is committed to highlighting that cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary liver cancer. Although almost equal in incidence to the far more widely recognised primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cholangiocarcinoma is less well known, harder to diagnose and overwhelmingly diagnosed late.

Recognising cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer, one of the biliary tract cancers) as a form of liver cancer is a simple but vital reference point for policymakers, health professionals and the wider public to unite around tackling the growing threat presented by this poorly known disease with one of the worst survival rates of any cancer.

With increased incidence and appalling mortality, there is a desperate need for a game changing increase in awareness and a better understanding of cholangiocarcinoma, especially amongst healthcare professionals. Earlier diagnosis is essential for patients to receive the treatments they need in a more appropriate and timely way.


AMMF’s Cholangiocarcinoma Data Project and White Paper

AMMF has commissioned and funded a four-year, first of its kind study, using data from over 50,000 biliary tract cancer patients within the NHS in England.

Carried out by NHS England and Health Data Insight CIC (HDI) in collaboration with partners at Imperial College, London, the research findings provide concrete evidence supporting the urgent need to improve how cholangiocarcinoma is diagnosed and treated. These findings, which underpin AMMF’s new white paper, Rethink Liver Cancer, include:

  • Cholangiocarcinoma is a growing, untargeted problem. New evidence demonstrates that this cancer is no longer as rare as previously considered, with patient numbers almost doubling to rates similar to the other, better known type of liver cancer – hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For years, national estimates have been inaccurate, regularly describing the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma as involving fewer than half as many cases.
  • More than half of those diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma were given no cancer treatment at all. The numbers of patients who were given treatment, and the types of treatment they received, varied significantly according to where in the country they lived.
  • There have been no improvements in cholangiocarcinoma survival rates in decades and people from the most deprived backgrounds were found to be almost 40% less likely to survive after diagnosis compared to the least deprived.

AMMF’s White Paper is launched in Westminster

On 20 February, 2024, during Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, AMMF held a reception in The House of Commons, Westminster, to formally launch the white paper, Rethink Liver Cancer, and to ask all who have the power to make change, to ensure that those with the devastating cancer, cholangiocarcinoma receive better and more equitable care than currently.

The event, hosted by Elliot Colburn, elected Member of Parliament and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, was attended by members of government, the health service and many experts in the field of cholangiocarcinoma.

Read More

AMMF returns to Westminster 2025

Read More

For more information on cholangiocarcinoma, including causes, risk factors and symptoms, click here


“I had never heard of cholangiocarcinoma when I was diagnosed and didn’t realise that it is a type of liver cancer which is occurring increasingly frequently, including among younger people.

AMMF’s Rethink Liver Cancer campaign is helping to support and educate everyone with the power to improve early detection, ensure more effective treatment and, ultimately, find a cure for this devastating disease.”

Dame Zandra Rhodes

Dame Zandra Rhodes 
Photo credit: Jonathan Phang

Rethink Liver Cancer in Scotland

The Rethink Liver Cancer campaign was taken to Scotland in October 2024, Liver Cancer Awareness Month.  To read about this and the difficulties faced by those with CCA in Scotland, see:  https://ammf.org.uk/rethink-liver-cancer-scotland/


January 2025