Are you at risk of liver cancer?

Did you know hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC primary liver cancer) is one of the only types of cancer that’s becoming more common in Australia? It’s also the fastest-growing cause of cancer death. 

Here are the top five risk factors – and what you can do about them.  

1. Do you eat a lot of processed and takeaway foods? 
   Eating too much fat, salt and sugar puts the liver under strain and can eventually lead to fatty liver disease, then cirrhosis and liver cancer. One of the best ways of looking after your liver is to eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, fish, and nuts and seeds. 
2. Do you drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol?
   Most people know alcohol isn’t great for the liver. Drinking any alcohol makes your liver work harder, and drinking heavily can cause liver damage and increase your risk of liver cancer. Find out how to reduce your risk. 
3. Are you overweight/obese or do you have diabetes?
   Being a healthy weight is one of the best ways you can protect your liver. Losing 5 to 10% of your body weight can control and sometimes even reverse fatty liver disease. Even just losing a few kilos will reduce the fat in your liver cells. It doesn’t have to be hard. Read about being a healthy weight and exercising. 
4. Have you been exposed to hepatitis B or C?
   One of the main risk factors for cirrhosis and liver cancer is hepatitis B or C. These are viruses you can catch through sex or contact with other people’s blood (like when you have a tattoo or share needles). People from some countries outside Australia are more at risk. Getting vaccinated is the best way of avoiding these infections. If you already know you have hepatitis B or C, there are treatments to make you better and protect your liver so talk to your doctor right away. 
5. Do you have a liver disease?
   People with genetic disorders such as haemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis are all at greater risk of liver cancer. Getting checked regularly by your liver team means cancer can be picked up when it’s still tiny, so you can be effectively treated as early as possible. 

If you would like any more information about liver cancer, please call our Nurse-Led Support Line on 1800 841 118 to talk to an expert liver nurse. 

Reference Simon TG, Chan AT. Lifestyle and Environmental Approaches for the Primary Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Liver Dis. 2020 Nov;24(4):549-576. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2020.06.002. Epub 2020 Aug 25