Title : Symptoms of Liver Cancer You Should Never Ignore and What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk
link : Symptoms of Liver Cancer You Should Never Ignore and What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk
Symptoms of Liver Cancer You Should Never Ignore and What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk
The liver is one of the most important and largest internal organs. a variety of vital body functions, such as removing harmful toxins, distribution and storage of essential nutrients, bile secretion and the production of important proteins for blood clotting is performed. The body can only live 1-2 days if the liver does not work, what is considered the second most important organ for survival.
What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world with incidence rates of more than one million new cases each year. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 15,000 men and 6,000 women in the US They are diagnosed with the disease each year.
Liver cancer can appear in two forms - primary, when the cancer starts in the liver, and secondary or metastatic formed elsewhere in the body and spreads to the liver
[Primary liver cancer is quite rare in the US It is representing approximately 2% of all cancers, although there has been an actual increase in incidence rates. It affects twice as many men than women, with an average age of 67 years of secondary liver cancer is much more common, however.
As with many other types of cancer, liver cancer symptoms usually do not appear until the cancer has reached the later stages. On the one hand, small liver tumors are difficult to detect on physical examination because most of the liver is covered by the right rib cage. By the time a tumor can be felt, which can already be quite large, so it is usually diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
Who is most at risk?
Although the leading causes of primary liver cancer are related to genetics, history of diseases and bad habits, there are a number of risk factors showing that is more at risk.
- Genre: According to research, men are much more susceptible to liver cancer than women. In fact, this disease affects twice as many men than women.
- Race Extensive research shows that the incidence rates of liver cancer are particularly high in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. In fact, primary liver cancer is the most common cancer in some of these countries type. In addition, countries with less developed medical treatments experience many more cases than in the US
- Age: This is an important factor because 95% of patients with liver cancer are diagnosed on or after age 45
- The cirrhosis :. Studies show that more than half of people diagnosed with liver cancer have liver scarring or cirrhosis, which causes the liver cells are damaged and die
- Hepatitis :. chronic viral hepatitis, caused by the transmission of body fluids leading to hepatitis B and C, is another important cause
- Diabetes :. People with diabetes are more susceptible to this type of cancer, as they have a higher risk for fatty liver disease, which in turn can lead to liver cancer
- metabolic diseases : inherited metabolic disorders are also a risk factor. Even rare diseases as antitrypsin deficiency and Wilson's disease are totally related to liver cancer.
- Alcoholism : Over time, frequent alcohol abuse can damage the liver and destroy its cells. Cancer is usually caused by mutations in the DNA cells that occur when the liver tries to repair this damage.
- Smoking : Smoking significantly increases the risk of liver cancer. According to a study, smoking is responsible for nearly 25% of liver cancers in the UK.
Symptoms LIVER CANCER
Unfortunately, the symptoms of liver cancer does not usually appear until the cancer it has developed considerably. These can vary from one person to another, and can even be caused by other types of infections or benign liver diseases. However, in the case of liver cancer, these symptoms continue to develop and worsen as the disease progresses. Therefore, if you experience any of these, it is important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Here are some early warning signs of liver cancer:
- Sudden weight loss is not associated with changes in diet
- Acute pain in abdomen
- sudden decrease in appetite or feeling of fullness after a small meal
- nausea and unexplained vomiting
- weakness and / or continuous fatigue
- pain that occurs at or near the right shoulder blade [19459016theupperrightabdomen]
- Inflammation or swelling in the abdomen
- enlarged liver felt as a mass under the ribs on the right side
- enlarged spleen felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side
- jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
- abnormal digestion and stool with white in it
- persistent itching of the skin
- unexplained fever
how to reduce their risk
liver cancer because the signs and symptoms detected in its later stages they appear quite late. Although tests may be recommended for some people at greater risk, there is no widely recommended screening tests for liver cancer in people who are not at increased risk. Therefore, the best treatment for liver cancer is prevention.
It is not always possible to prevent liver cancer, but some simple measures of lifestyle and personal care products can reduce your chances of developing the disease.
These include:
- Preventing hepatitis infection . All this is possible by avoiding sex with people who have not been tested and using protection during sex. If you use injected drugs, the best way to prevent this infection is not sharing any drug injecting equipment with others. This not only applies to the needles, but anything that can come into contact with the blood of others.
- Avoid excess alcohol. Reduce alcohol, can reduce the risk of cirrhosis, a liver disease that increases the risk of liver cancer. As smoke usually goes hand in hand with drinking, cut this habit is also highly recommended. Smoking is also a risk factor for liver cancer.
- A balanced diet and regular exercise . A healthy diet that is low in fat and salt and high in fruits and vegetables and regular exercise routine will boost your immune system and make your body more prepared to fight the disease. In addition, these lifestyle habits reduce the risk of obesity, which is commonly associated with liver cancer.
- Avoid industrial chemicals or environmental carcinogens . If your job requires the use of industrial chemicals or environmental carcinogens, ensure that all protective measures are met. Also, if possible, try to find natural alternatives to these chemicals.
- regular review in case of a family history of liver cancer . If there is a family history of diseases that increase the risk of liver cancer, which must periodically undergo. Since there is no evidence widely recommended for routine liver cancer, people with a family history of the disease or other risk factors should talk to their doctor about the steps they can take to control or reduce your risk. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCN), people with a high risk of developing liver cancer should make alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood tests and ultrasounds every 6 to 12 months.
- Regular testing . Liver cancer is most treatable if caught in time, which is, more or less, in the case of all diseases. Having regular tests will allow you to identify any changes early, especially if you have any risk factors or symptoms listed above.
Can you check for liver cancer before you have symptoms?
As mentioned above, the symptoms of liver cancer usually appear in its advanced stages it makes treatment success quite difficult. In general, doctors do not recommend screening for liver cancer for most people. Even the American Cancer Society has no recommendations for the detection of liver cancer. However, if you have any of the known risk factors, including excessive drinking, cirrhosis or hepatitis, your doctor will recommend the test.
If you have cirrhosis of the liver, is closely monitored by your doctor, and this can ask for repeated blood for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). As AFP is a tumor marker for liver cancer, its high value may indicate liver cancer. This will require further testing.
Ultrasound imaging liver is another test used to diagnose liver cancer before giving symptoms in people at high risk. If you belong to this group, your doctor may ask you to do ultrasounds every 6 months.
MRI or computed tomography It is also done for diagnosis.
References for the article include:
- http://www.webmd.com/cancer/understanding-liver-cancer-basic-information
- http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/detailedguide/liver-cancer-detection
- http://www.cancercenter.com/liver-cancer/symptoms/
- http://healthcare.utah.edu/healthlibrary/related/doc.php?type=34&id=17899-1
- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-liver/Pages/Prevention.aspx
- http://www.cancercompass.com/learn/cancer-information/liver-cancer
- http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/liver-cancer/about/risks-and-causes-of-liver-cancer
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