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than half of Britons are unaware that being obese can raise the risk of liver cancer. Studies show obesity doubles the risk of developing the disease, due to a dangerous accumulation of fat in the liver, over time.

Increasing obesity rates in the UK have been suggested as one reason for the surge in liver cancer cases, up by 45 per cent in a decade.

The survey, by the British Liver Trust, revealed a lack of knowledge of other key risk factors. Only one in ten realised being male could increase the likelihood of developing the disease, and just 42 per cent knew dietary choices were related. Only 13 per cent diagnosed survive longer than five years.