How to Reduce the Risk of Liver Cancer? | Cancer Specialist
The liver is an important organ in the body that is situated at the top-right side of the abdomen area. It helps in removing the toxins from the body and aids food digestion. Liver cancer can begin in the liver (primary) or spread from other body parts (secondary). If you are diagnosed with this disease, it is important to get proper treatment for liver cancer.
Tips to Reduce the Risk of Liver Cancer
Here are a few tips that can help you reduce the risk of liver cancer disease:
Maintain Healthy Weight
Diabetes and fatty liver are linked to liver cancer disease. If a person is obese, then he or she may have a high chance of being diabetic or having fatty liver, thus increasing the risk of liver cancer. One of the best ways to lower the risk is to maintain healthy body weight. Controlling diet and calories consumption is the right way to control weight. Consume a healthy diet and exercise regularly to further reduce liver cancer risk.
Stop Smoking Cigarette & Tobacco Usage
The risk of liver cancer disease can also be reduced by stopping cigarette smoking & tobacco usage. This will not only reduce the risk of liver cancer but also decrease the risk of other life-threatening diseases.
Screening for Primary Liver Cancer
Chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis can cause inflammation or scarring of the liver leading to cancer.
If liver cancer disease is identified at an early stage, then there are very high chances of getting good treatment and the survival rate also increases. This can be done with the help of regular tests and screening of the liver.
People with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, biliary cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, family history of liver cancer, alcoholic cirrhosis, and chronic hepatitis B or C have the highest chances of liver cancer. It is recommended that these people regularly consult a doctor and undergo screening.
Diagnostic tests such as blood tests and abdomen ultrasound imaging are very effective for diagnosing liver cancer disease at an early stage.
Quit Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol is known to damage the liver or cause liver cancer as ethanol in alcohol gets metabolized in the liver. When a person drinks alcohol, the liver filters it. Every time the alcohol is filtered by the liver, some cells of the liver die. The liver has the ability to produce new liver cells, but too much alcohol consumption can damage its regeneration ability. It can lead to permanent damage and cause serious problems to the liver. This can result in alcoholic hepatitis disease and people may experience symptoms such as jaundice, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, and nausea.
Hepatitis B & C Prevention
Hepatitis B & C can cause liver diseases such as cancer. Vaccines can be taken to decrease the chance of hepatitis B infection. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C infection, but it can be treated. Consult a doctor for proper diagnosing, testing, and scanning.
Avoid Exposure to Cancer-Causing Chemicals
There are many chemicals that are known to cause liver cancer. Arsenic is one such chemical. Many developed countries have limited the arsenic level in drinking water, but people in other areas of the world can still develop liver cancer by drinking natural arsenic in water.
All the tips listed above should be followed to ensure proper functioning of the liver. It is extremely important to keep the liver healthy and without any disease or cancer.
