Liver Cancer on the Rise

In an era where cancer treatment overall is improving it may be surprising to note that cancer is actually increasing. As people live longer and detection methods improve, the number of cancer diagnoses continues to grow.

Liver cancer is, however, growing at an excessive rate. Ironically it's one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Additionally, the five-year survival rate for primary liver cancer is low.

Often liver cancer is associated with cancer that has migrated from another part of the body. However, primary liver cancer, originating in the liver, is fairly preventable.

The three main factors that contribute to primary liver cancer are Hepatitis C infections, cirrhosis due to alcohol consumption, and obesity.

Losing weight and reducing or eliminating alcohol can reverse damage caused by liver disease and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Hepatitis C, on the other hand, can be present in the liver for 20 to 40 years before the infection causes cancer. It's estimated that eight out of 10 people who have hepatitis C are unaware they carry the disease.

Source - Medical News Today

Resource - Risk Factors of Liver Cancer