In many cases, liver cancer is preventable; here are steps you can take to reduce the risk

By Dr. Joseph Kim
University of Kentucky

Liver cancer is the sixth leading cause cancer death in the U.S. The most common type of liver cancer in adults is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and men are more likely to develop HCC than women. It typically develops in people with long-lasting liver disease caused by hepatitis virus infection or cirrhosis. In many cases, liver cancer is a preventable cancer, so raising awareness about prevention is important.

What are the risk factors?

There are several risk factors associated with developing liver cancer, including: Hepatitis B virus infection, Hepatitis C virus infection, cirrhosis, heavy alcohol use, aflatoxin B1, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), smoking, certain medicines and genetic factors.

How can I prevent liver cancer?

There are a few steps you can take that research has shown can reduce your risk of liver cancer. They include:

• Getting the hepatitis B vaccine : The hepatitis B virus attacks the liver. Many infected people don’t experience any symptoms until decades later when the disease has progressed. It’s often called the “silent epidemic” for this reason.

Most people get a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B infection when they’re newborns. Research has shown that this vaccination lowers the risk of liver cancer in children. It is not known yet if this vaccination also lowers the risk of liver cancer in adults. The vaccine is also available to adults in a different dosage.

• Getting treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection : The treatment for chronic HBV infection can include interferon and nucleos(t)ide analog therapy. These two treatments may reduce your risk of developing liver cancer.

• Preventing the spread of hepatitis C : There is no vaccine for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), but there are treatments that can cure most people. Most new infections progress to long-term infections.

The best way to prevent HCV is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, like sharing needles or syringes, engaging in sexual activity with a person who’s infected with HCV or getting unregulated tattoos or body piercings.

Testing is the first step to know more about your health. If you have HCV, talk to your doctor right away to start treatment.

• Maintaining a healthy liver : Cirrhosis is severe scarring of the liver and can be caused by hepatitis or chronic alcoholism. The damage generally can’t be undone, but, if caught early, can by treated and further damage can be limited.

• Moderating alcohol use : Cirrhosis caused by heavy alcohol use is a risk factor for liver cancer. Liver cancer can also occur in heavy alcohol users who do not have cirrhosis.

People who are heavy alcohol users with cirrhosis are ten times more likely to develop liver cancer than heavy alcohol users who do not have cirrhosis.

• Quit smoking : In addition to alcohol use, cigarette smoking has been linked to a higher risk of liver cancer. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the number of years the person has smoked.

If you have any questions about your current risk factors for liver cancer, talk to your primary care physician about your health options.

Dr. Joseph Kim, M.D. is a surgeon at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

The post In many cases, liver cancer is preventable; here are steps you can take to reduce the risk appeared first on NKyTribune .