Provided herein is a method for detecting the presence or absence of a cancer in a biological sample of an individual, by determining the level of mutation and methylation of one or more genes from a group of genes comprising TP53, CTNNB1, hTERT, RASSF1A, GSTP1, p16, p15 and SFRP-1. Also provided herein is an assay to detect p53 mutations suitable for DNA isolated from biological body fluid in order to screen cancer patients.Also provided is a method for detecting the presence or absence of a liver cancer in an individual by determining the level of methylation.Also provided is a suitable method for detecting the presence or absence of a liver cancer in an individual by determining the level of methylation of the promoter of the GSTP1 gene in body fluid such as urine or blood.Also provided is a suitable method for detecting the presence or absence of a liver cancer in an individual by determining the level of methylation of the promoter of the RASSF1A gene in body fluid such as urine or blood.