Common symptoms of liver cancer
The most significant risk factor for liver
cancer is chronic infection with hepatitis B
virus and hepatitis C virus. These are viruses
that can spread from person to person
through the sharing of contaminated needles
(such as in drug use) and through unprotected
sex. Hence some liver cancer may be
prevented by not sharing needles and by
engaging in safer sex practices (such as
consistent use of condoms).
Blood
transfusions were once a major source of
hepatitis infection as well. But because blood
banks now test donated blood to look for signs
of these viruses, the risk of getting a hepatitis
infection from a blood transfusion is extremely
low.
You could be at risk of having hepatitis B if
you have sex with someone who is infected or
if you have multiple sex partners or have a
sexually transmitted disease. A baby born to a
mother that is infected with hepatitis B virus is
also at risk for being infected.
You can lower your risk for developing liver
cancer by following healthy lifestyle measures,
such as regular exercise, controlling your
weight, and eating a healthy diet with limited
amounts of alcohol. It’s also important to
avoid infection with the hepatitis B and C virus
infection. If the infection isn’t treated,
hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis
(scarring), liver failure, and cancer.
[b] Screen for hepatitis B or hepatitis C
infection [/b]
Consider undergoing a screening test if you
have chronic hepatitis B, because you might
be a candidate for antiviral therapy, which can
slow down the progression of liver disease and
decrease (although not eliminate) the risk of
liver cancer.
While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, the
right treatment can eliminate the virus in most
people. If you have chronic hepatitis, you
should visit your doctor for regular surveillance
with imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, or
MRI.
[b] Reduce alcohol and tobacco usage [/b]
Drinking alcohol can lead to cirrhosis, which in
turn, can lead to liver cancer. At the same
time, not drinking alcohol or drinking in
moderation could help prevent liver
cancer. Since smoking also increases the risk
of liver cancer, not smoking will also prevent
some of these cancers. If you smoke, quitting
will help lower your risk of developing this
cancer, as well as many other cancers and
life-threatening diseases.
Avoiding obesity might be another way to help
protect against liver cancer. People who are
obese are more likely to have fatty liver
disease and diabetes, both of which have been
linked to liver cancer.
[b] Treat diseases that increase liver cancer risk [/b]
Certain inherited diseases can cause cirrhosis
of the liver, so finding and treating these
diseases early in life could lower this risk. For
instance, all children in families with
hemochromatosis (high iron in blood) should
be screened for the disease and treated if
they have it.
Treatment regularly removes small amounts of
blood to lower the amount of excess iron in
the body. Common causes of primary liver
cancer includes scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
caused by too much alcohol use or infection
with hepatitis B or C infection are largely to
blame.
You can get infected with the hepatitis B or C
virus through unprotected sex, sharing
unsterilized needles and a blood
transfusion. Because primary liver cancer
caused by viral hepatitis tends to develop
slowly over the course of two to three
decades, there are steps you can take to get
screened for the infection and prevent it from
becoming advanced.
[i] Ref: Vanguard [/i]
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