Liver cancer - the disease is easy to die early

Do not share needles, practice safe sex such as using condoms, avoid obesity, limit alcohol use . to prevent liver cancer.

Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer death . More than 95% of people diagnosed with liver cancer are aged 45 or older. Liver cancer is difficult to recognize early due to poor symptoms and easily subjective patients ignore. When detected, it has progressed badly, difficult to treat and high mortality rates. However, liver cancer is considered the most preventable by reducing exposure to known risk factors for this disease.

With cancer still limited in the liver, the 5-year survival rate is 28%. Cancer when developing into adjacent organs or has spread to nearby lymph nodes 5-year survival rate of only 7%. Cancer has spread to distant organs, only 2% of patients live up to 5 years.

Limiting the use of alcohol may help prevent liver cancer.(Artwork: npr)

Causes of liver cancer

1. Chronic hepatitis: The most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic hepatitis B virus HBV or hepatitis C virus . These infections lead to cirrhosis, progressing to liver cancer.
2. Using heavy alcohol , alcoholism causes cirrhosis.
3. Obesity can lead to fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which increases the risk of developing liver cancer.
4. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. People with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight or obese, which can cause liver problems.
5. Aflatoxins poisoning caused by eating mold in moist nuts such as beans, corn . Carcinogens created by a fungus can contaminate peanuts, wheat, soybeans, corn and rice. Long-term exposure to these substances is a major risk factor for liver cancer. The risk increases more in people with hepatitis B or C infection.

Signs of liver cancer

Most have no signs and symptoms at an early stage . When symptoms appear, they may include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, enlarged liver, abdominal swelling, yellowing of the skin, and yellow eyes.

Prevention of liver cancer

Reducing alcohol is reducing the burden on the liver

1. Avoid important risk factors for liver cancer: chronic viral infection of HBV and HCV. These viruses can spread from person to person through unprotected sex, mother to child during childbirth. It can be prevented by not sharing needles and by practicing safe sex like using condoms.
2. Prevent HBV by getting vaccinated . There is no HCV vaccine. Treatment of chronic hepatitis caused by viruses B and C if infected with these two viruses. The treatment will reduce the amount of virus in the blood and reduce liver damage, thereby reducing the risk of liver cancer.

1. Limit alcohol use . Do not drink or drink only in moderation can help prevent liver cancer.
2. Avoid obesity.
3. Limit exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Early detection of liver cancer

For people at high risk of liver cancer, cirrhosis (from any cause) or chronic hepatitis B, C infection . should be screened for liver cancer by a blood test with alpha- Fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound every 6-12 months.

AFP is a protein that may be present at increased levels in patients with liver cancer. But looking at the AFP level is not a perfect test for liver cancer. Many patients with early liver cancer have normal AFP levels. In addition, AFP levels may be increased from other types of cancer without liver cancer.