Liver cancer refers to cancerous cells that multiply uncontrollably anywhere in the liver – a large organ at the top right side of your tummy. Liver cancer is much harder to treat if it is found late so it is imperative to act on the warning signs as soon as they appear. Unfortunately, cancer that starts in the liver (primary liver cancer) doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages.
These include:
- If the cancer started in the liver (primary) or spread from somewhere else (secondary), but treatments for primary and secondary liver cancer are similar
- The size and type of liver cancer you have
- Where it is
- If it has spread
- Your general health.
“It may include surgery, chemotherapy, using heat to destroy the cancer (thermal ablation), and using targeted medicines,” explains the health body.
Surgery usually signals that the cancer has been found early, because surgery aims to remove it, it says.
Am I at risk?
Anyone can get primary liver cancer and it’s not always clear what causes it, but there are factors that may raise your risk.
A prominent risk factor is long-term alcohol drinking because this unhealthy habit can cause cirrhosis – scarring of the liver, explains Cancer Research UK.
“This scarring can cause problems with the way the liver works,” says the charity.
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What’s more, alcohol might directly damage the DNA inside liver cells – a catalyst for cancerous cells.
Smoking – a risk factor for many cancers – also raises your risk of liver cancer, warns the Cancer Research UK.
The risk of liver cancer is increased further if you smoke and drink a lot of alcohol, it says.
Quitting smoking and watching your alcohol intake may therefore reduce your risk.
According to the NHS, you should also do the following to reduce your risk:
- Try to lose weight if you are overweight
- Wear protective clothes and masks if you work in a job where you’re exposed to harmful chemicals.
It is important to note that anyone can get liver cancer, even if you do not think you have a higher chance of getting it, it adds.
Source: Daily Express
