October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, which is a great time to learn more about liver cancer risk factors and how to prevent it.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 41,000 new cases of primary liver cancer and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and nearly 30,000 people will die from these diseases.
Liver cancer is a cancer that starts in cells of the liver, a football-sized organ in the upper right part of the abdomen. The liver is essential for digesting food and removing toxic substances from the body.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, sometimes classified as a type of liver cancer, occurs in the bile ducts within the liver. Bile ducts carry bile (a digestive fluid), and they connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of primary liver cancer include:
•Chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases the risk of liver cancer.
•Cirrhosis of the liver. This progressive and irreversible disease causes scar tissue to form in the liver and increases the chance of liver cancer.
•Certain inherited liver diseases. Liver diseases that may increase the risk of liver cancer include hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease.
•diabetes. People with this blood sugar disorder are at greater risk of liver cancer than people without diabetes.
•Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The accumulation of fat in the liver increases the risk of liver cancer.
•Exposure to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by molds that grow on improperly stored crops. Grains and nuts can be contaminated with aflatoxins and end up in foods made from these products.
•Excessive drinking. Consuming more than moderate amounts of alcohol per day over many years can cause irreversible liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer.
prevention
Strategies to prevent liver cancer include:
•Reduces the risk of cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that increases the risk of liver cancer. If you drink alcohol in moderation (if at all) and maintain a healthy weight, you can reduce your risk of cirrhosis.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B. You can reduce your risk of hepatitis B by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine can be given to almost anyone, including infants, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
• Take steps to prevent hepatitis C. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, but you can reduce your risk of infection by taking care to avoid having unprotected sex with a partner who has HBV, HCV, or any other sexually transmitted infection. Do not inject illegal drugs. If you do this, make sure any needles you use are sterile and don’t share them. Before getting a piercing or tattoo, check out shops in your area and ask the staff about their safety measures. Needles that are not properly sterilized may spread the hepatitis C virus.
•Seek treatment for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. There are treatments for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. Research shows that treatment can reduce the risk of liver cancer.
•Ask your health care professional about liver cancer screening. For the general population, liver cancer screening has not been proven to reduce the risk of death from liver cancer and is generally not recommended. People with conditions that increase their risk of liver cancer, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis, may consider screening. Discuss the pros and cons of screening with your health care team. You can decide together whether screening is right for you based on your risk. Screening usually involves blood tests and abdominal ultrasounds every six months.
Discuss life with liver cancer with others in a cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community hosted by Mayo Clinic.
©2023 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency.