Published : 27 Oct 2024, 17:55

Is liver cancer preventable?

Liver cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer globally. It is the fifth most prevalent cancer among men and the ninth among women, with the average age of diagnosis being around 63 years.

There are lots of risk factors that may provoke liver cancer. Risk factors include:

  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Gender (male)
  • Obesity
  • Race (Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders)
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Inherited liver disease
  • Cirrhosis, chronic infection with HBV or HCV
  • Diabetes
  • Exposure to aflatoxins (a type of poison)

Liver cancer is a serious health risk if not identified and treated early it can have fatal consequences. Safety measures can prevent most liver cancers. Those are-

Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Alcohol consumption can cause cirrhosis, which can result in liver cancer. Avoiding alcohol altogether or consuming it in moderation may help avoid liver cancer. We should say “no” to smoking because it raises the risk of liver cancer. If you stop smoking, it will reduce your risk of developing this cancer as well as numerous other cancers and serious illnesses.

Get Vaccinated
Hepatitis B and C are two viruses that can cause persistent liver infections and raise the risk of liver cancer. A key first step in avoiding liver cancer is receiving a vaccination against these viruses. To find out if you are at risk and whether immunization is advised for you, speak with your healthcare professional.

Maintain a Healthy Diet
A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for preventing liver cancer. Ensure that your meals contain a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Reduce consumption of processed meals, sweet drinks, and saturated fats.

Exercise consistently
Regular physical activity not only supports ideal liver function but also aids in maintaining a healthy body weight. Exercise like cycling, running, swimming, or walking aids in the reduction of extra liver fat, which is essential in preventing liver illnesses.

Manage Your Body Weight
It's essential to keep a healthy weight to avoid developing liver cancer. Obesity increases the risk of acquiring disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which raises the possibility of developing liver cancer. Obesity is a significant risk factor for liver diseases. You can maintain a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and doing regular exercise.

Treat conditions that raise the risk of liver cancer
Cirrhosis of the liver, which raises a person's risk for liver cancer, is a result of some genetic disorders. This risk could be reduced by identifying and treating these illnesses early in infancy. For example, all children in families with hemochromatosis should be checked and treated if they have the illness. Small volumes of blood are routinely removed as part of treatment to reduce the body's high iron levels.

Reduce your exposure to dangerous chemicals
Our liver can suffer negative consequences from several poisons and chemicals, which can also raise the chance of liver cancer. Avoid exposure to dangerous chemicals at work and home.


Fighting Cancer Desk
Fighting Cancer Desk