Excessive boozing is causing a worrying rise in cases of liver cancer and brain damage as well as placing a huge burden on hospital finances in Bradford, a senior doctor has warned.

Dr Paul Southern, a consultant hepatologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said the number of heavy drinkers diagnosed with liver cancer was increasing and set to soar further, while the risk of dying from other cancers is on the decline.

And at least once a month a patient in Bradford is sent to a nursing home because they are suffering alcohol-induced brain damage called Korsakoff-Wernikes syndrome which occurs when low levels of vitamins cause confusion, and problems with walking and vision.

A third of sufferers will die because of it, a further third will never see an improvement in their brain functionality, with generally only the remaining third able to recover. “We frequently have to place patients as young as in their early 40s into nursing care,” Dr Southern said.

According to Cancer Research UK, between 2010 and 2030 liver cancer deaths are expected to increase by 39 per cent while other cancer mortality rates go down – 27 per cent for breast cancer, eight per cent for lung and 16 per cent for prostate cancers.

Dr Southern said the increase in liver cancer cases in Bradford is in line with the national figures and it is linked directly to alcohol.

An estimated 100,000 people in the district hold down responsible jobs while drinking at hazardous levels – regarded as above the recommended 21 units for men and 14 units for women – which could mean they develop cancer.

Dr Southern said: “We are seeing more cases of liver cancer than we used to and there’s a direct relationship with alcohol.

“It’s recognised as one of the commonest causes of liver cirrhosis – 93 per cent of liver cancer cases are associated with it so alcohol is a clear risk factor.

“I’m seeing a number of patients with liver tumours. The outcome of that cancer is quite poor. If the liver disease is advanced the only curative option would be to take the tumour out of an already diseased liver or to get a transplant – and nationally we only have about 50 per cent of the livers we need anyway.

“If people have been advised to stop drinking and ignore that advice they’re unlikely to be put on that list. It is a completely avoidable illness and can cost lives.

“People have to be responsible for themselves. It’s not just a huge financial cost to hospitals, care services and the Bradford economy – it’s a personal cost too.”

Of 130,000 patients seen at the A&E at Bradford Royal Infirmary in the past year, 38,000 have formally been asked questions about their alcohol intake and 2,000 have needed intervention and advice.

In the past 12 months, 600 more hospital staff have been trained to give alcohol advice and in the first four days of Alcohol Awareness Week which started on Monday, 800 people picked up help leaflets from the BRI’s foyer.

“That shows people have got increased awareness of alcohol as a problem but they need to get the shocking message that consequences can be fatal – cancer, heart problems and brain damage,” said Dr Southern.

Figures for Bradford show the total cost of alcohol-related treatment in Bradford was £35 million last year, including £6.7m in A&E attendances and £7m in outpatients appointments – equating to £88 per adult.

Last year in Bradford, 138 people died from alcohol-related causes – 101 men and 37 women. Of those deaths 60 were due to chronic liver disease.