What can be done to prevent liver cancer
Liver performs more than 500 functions of the body. And through these activities many things are produced, preserved and purified. The body's blood is also filtered. Liver is made up of its own cells (banana), biliary system, blood vessels and supporting tissues.
Each cell/tissue can transform into cancer, called liver cancer itself. Since the body's blood is filtered, malignant tumors (cancer) of any part of the body can spread through the liver. This is called a metastatic tumor.
Prevalence of liver cancer
Liver cancer is increasing recently due to various reasons. Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. According to the information of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, more than 830,000 people died of liver cancer in 2020. More than 9 lakh new liver cancer patients have been diagnosed. By 2040, the number of liver cancer cases will increase by 55 percent, and about 1.3 million people will die from this cancer.
Types of Liver Cancer: There are two types of liver cancer-
Primary Liver Cancer: When various liver cells grow uncontrollably and transform into cancer cells. For example: hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and sarcoma.
Metastatic liver cancer: (secondary liver cancer) can spread through the blood to other parts of the body or directly to the liver. These include—colon, rectum, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, lung and malignant melanoma.
Metastatic cancer is 30 times more common than primary liver cancer.
Causes liver cancer
♦ Liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis due to any reason can lead to liver cancer.
♦ Long-term hepatitis and liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis 'B' and 'C' can lead to liver cancer.
♦ Fatty liver, NFLD, NASH cirrhosis leads to liver cancer, which is increasing rapidly lately.
♦ Excessive and uncontrolled drinking causes hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
♦ Male hormones, anabolic steroids, birth control pills can lead to liver cancer from liver cell adenoma if used together for a long time.
Liver cancer symptoms
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages. Most cases grow asymptomatically. Symptoms are: loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, upper abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, jaundice, watery legs and stomach.
What can be done to prevent liver cancer
1. Total prevention of Hepatitis 'B' and 'C':
♦ Mass awareness: General public and pregnant women.
♦ Vaccination: Hepatitis 'B' vaccination of newborns. Vaccination of children, young adults and risk groups on a priority basis. The first dose of hepatitis B vaccine protects 50 percent, the second dose 80 percent and the third dose about 98 to 100 percent of the hepatitis B virus.
♦ Provision of proper treatment and medication for Hepatitis 'B' and 'C' patients. This will reduce the number of affected patients and also reduce the spread in the society. Hopefully, a cure for hepatitis C has been discovered.
2. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted from one person to another through blood and blood components and body fluids (semen, tears, saliva, etc.). It is important to be careful about the following points.
♦ Confirmation of hepatitis 'B' and 'C' virus free before blood transfusion.
♦ Ensuring the use of single-use syringes and needles.
♦ Use of own toothbrush, razor, scissors etc.
♦ Practice safe sex.
♦ Hepatitis 'B' and 'C' sufferers can never be taken as blood and organ donors.
♦ Nose-ear piercing, not using the same needle while tattooing.
♦ Use of sterile instruments in all types of surgery and dentistry.
♦ Not using the same razor/blade in the salon.
3. Transmission of hepatitis B from mother to newborn is one of the main causes of hepatitis B infection. Every pregnant woman should be tested for hepatitis B. Treatment of positive mothers and vaccination of the newborn within 24 hours of birth (birth dose) and immunoglobulin as needed are essential. Hepatitis B vaccination is essential for every child. Adults and those at risk should also be vaccinated. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so it is necessary to take all preventive measures. 80 percent of liver cancer can be prevented if hepatitis 'B' and 'C' are prevented.
4. Prevention of NASH: NASH is caused by NFLD caused by fatty liver. Nash is increasing day by day. So it is important to prevent diabetes, overweight, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, fatty liver.
5. Alcoholic Hepatitis: Excessive drinking should be reduced or stopped. NASH and alcoholic hepatitis account for about 15 percent of liver cancers.
6. Taking excessive hormones: Long-term use of anabolic hormones and birth control pills should be avoided.
Taking birth control pills (contraceptive pills) for more than five years at a time can lead to liver cell adenoma, which can lead to liver cancer. It is important to drink arsenic-free water and eat alphatoxin-free food.
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