Experts Reveal the Primary Risk Factor for Liver Cancer

At least 40,000 people become liver cancer patients yearly. Even if it’s a rare cancer type, the rate of individuals has tripled since 1980. 

Moreover, the death rates have also doubled. But you can significantly reduce the risk of having this liver condition. 

Kindly read on to learn how to slash your liver cancer probability.

1. The Factors Increasing Your Liver Cancer Risk

You may boost your chances of having liver cancer with these risk factors:

• Alcohol abuse
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Inherited liver disease
• Exposure to the poisonous aflatoxins in crops
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Diabetes

However, combining these risk factors only account for less than 50% of liver cancer patients.

2. Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Are the Top Factors  

Unfortunately, experts say that having the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses jumpstart your liver cancer risks. 

According to CDC’s statistics, nearly 65% of cancer in the liver patients in the U.S. are attributable to these viruses. 

Sadly, about 50% of cases are traceable to Hepatitis C.

3. How Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Spread

Exposure to the hepatitis viruses can occur in many ways, such as the following:

• Sharing contaminated needles
• Childbirth
• Unprotected intercourse

Generally, you can avoid having liver cancer if you practice safe physical intimacy and do not share needles. 

Fortunately, a blood transfusion is no longer a risk factor because the blood bank now checks the donated blood for hepatitis viruses. 

Therefore, your liver cancer risk is low if you had a blood transfusion.

4. Hepatitis Vaccination and Treatment  

The CDC suggests that everyone gets the Hepatitis B vaccine to limit the likelihood of liver cancer and hepatitis. 

Unfortunately, there’s no Hepatitis C vaccine yet, but you can avail of a Hepatitis C treatment, which cures at least 85% of cases. 

Moreover, it would help if you had yourself tested for Hepatitis C because more than 50% of patients aren’t undetected and asymptomatic.

Hepatitis C is a slow and silent enemy of your liver. The damage caused can result in adverse health repercussions such as liver cancer. 

However, you can complete a successful Hepatitis C treatment within months. This way, you’ll mitigate the risk of having cancer in the liver by as much as 75%.

Final Thoughts

Although rare, liver cancer can be debilitating and lead to early death. Thus, it would be best to take precautions to reduce its risks. 

However, having Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C is a top risk factor. Therefore, ensure you have the Hepatitis B vaccine on your arm and undergo regular Hepatitis C testing for immediate Hepatitis C treatment in case you have it.

While it may be true that there’s no cure for cancer, being aware of the potential risk factors is critical for you to mitigate the probability of having it. 

Moreover, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also essential. So if you’re not taking care of your body, maybe it’s time to start today before it’s too late. 

Stay healthy to live a long and fulfilling life.