Right-shoulder pain may signal liver cancer, NHS advises early check-up

NHS advice highlights that pain felt in the right shoulder may stem from referred pain caused by an enlarged or tumour-affected liver. As a tumour grows, it can irritate nerves that transmit signals interpreted as shoulder discomfort. Cancer Research UK adds that liver cancer can also lead to abdominal swelling, early fullness, breathlessness, or fluid accumulation known as ascites.

The disease is often called a "silent killer" because it rarely produces noticeable symptoms until advanced stages, with only about 30% of cases identified early. In the UK, liver disease accounts for more than 11,000 deaths each year, while liver cancer alone causes around 6,200 fatalities. The charity urges anyone experiencing new shoulder pain, especially alongside other signs like jaundice, weight loss, or abdominal swelling, to seek medical advice without delay.