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Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the liver. It has a great impact on patients. If it develops to the late stage, the prognosis is very poor.

In my country, the incidence of liver cancer ranks fourth, after lung cancer, breast cancer and esophageal cancer; the mortality rate of liver cancer ranks second, second only to lung cancer. Due to its high mortality rate, liver cancer was previously called the "king of cancers."

The occurrence and development of any cancer is the result of the interaction of multiple factors. Only by understanding the factors that cause cancer can we better prevent and avoid cancer. So what are the factors that cause liver cancer? Which ones have you been exposed to? How can we prevent liver disease? Let's learn together through this article.

Factors that cause liver cancer

Most liver cancers develop through the three stages of hepatitis-cirrhosis-liver cancer, so we focus on discussing what factors cause hepatitis.

1. Viral hepatitis

There are many viruses that can induce inflammatory changes in the liver, the most important of which are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

According to relevant surveys, the number of people infected with hepatitis B virus in my country is about 78 million, and the risk of liver cancer in hepatitis B virus-infected people is 10-20 times that of uninfected people; the number of people infected with hepatitis C virus in my country is about 20 million, and the risk of liver cancer in hepatitis C virus-infected people is about 15 times that of uninfected people!

Due to the large number of viral hepatitis patients in my country, the liver diseases caused are relatively serious. This is a problem that must be faced seriously and strictly.

2. Long-term intake of foods with excessive aflatoxin

Peanuts, melon seeds, walnuts, soybeans, corn, etc. are all common foods in our daily life. If these foods are not stored properly, they will produce Aspergillus flavus, which will secrete aflatoxin. Aflatoxin has a strong tropism for hepatocellular cells and can easily cause liver cells to become cancerous. If you consume foods with excessive aflatoxin for a long time, it can cause chronic poisoning and growth disorders of liver cells, and eventually develop into liver cancer. Aflatoxin has a synergistic effect with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, alcohol, etc.

3. Alcoholism

Now that living standards have greatly improved, there are more gatherings and social events among friends, and alcohol is indispensable at these gatherings and social events.

Excessive drinking is not good for health, and alcohol is also a key factor in inducing liver cancer. Although alcohol does not directly cause cancer, its metabolite in liver cells - acetaldehyde - can directly cause cancer! The World Health Organization's International Cancer Research Institute (IARC) classifies acetaldehyde as a Class I carcinogen (there is clear evidence that it can directly cause cancer in humans). Alcohol can also promote the carcinogenic effects of other carcinogens, can cause fatty degeneration of liver cells, and increase the risk of various liver diseases.

4. Genetics

The root cause of any cancer is the activation of cell oncogenes, which leads to uncontrolled cell division. Therefore, all cancers have certain tendencies. Liver cancer is no exception. If someone in the family has had liver cancer, then the risk of liver cancer in their offspring will be higher. Of course, in addition to genetic factors, this may also be related to the common eating habits and daily routines of living together.

5. Emotions

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the liver among the five internal organs corresponds to anger among the five emotions. People who are easily angered have strong liver fire and are prone to liver diseases. Therefore, there has been a saying in China since ancient times that "anger hurts the liver". In psychology, people's personalities are divided into three types: A, B, and C. A is manic, B is normal, and C is indifferent. People with type A personality are prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, and people with type C personality are prone to tumors. A large number of epidemiological studies have also shown that people with depressive personality are prone to tumors.

Prevention of hepatitis and liver cancer

To prevent liver cancer, the key is to prevent hepatitis. The occurrence and development of cancer is the result of the interaction of multiple factors, so prevention of liver cancer requires a multi-faceted approach.

1. Actively prevent and treat hepatitis

Currently, there is a vaccine that can prevent hepatitis B. Newborns should receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible within 24 hours of birth. Adults without antibodies can also receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Currently, there is no vaccine that can prevent hepatitis C.

Hepatitis B patients should actively seek treatment and undergo regular physical examinations. Confidence is particularly important. Current drugs for treating hepatitis B are particularly effective, and some patients can achieve clinical cure.

Hepatitis C patients should actively follow the doctor's advice and take medication on time. At this stage, hepatitis C can be completely cured.

2. Control your alcohol intake

The "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022 Edition)" released by the Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that adults should not drink more than 15g of alcohol per day (equivalent to 60° alcohol). Children and adolescents, patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and other groups should refrain from drinking.

I have a friend who, knowing that he had hepatitis B, got drunk every day at social events for the sake of performance. Although his career was booming, he was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer before he was 30 and passed away early.

So I suggest that everyone should drink less alcohol, for their own health and for the happiness of their family.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables

A healthy human body needs seven nutrients: water, mineral ions, vitamins, fat, protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Each food can provide some nutrients. Meat can provide protein and fat, while vegetables and fruits can provide mineral ions and vitamins. Therefore, if you want to be healthy, you should eat a balanced diet.

Unfortunately, most Chinese people have an unbalanced diet, either consuming too much meat or not enough vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to consume more than 300g of vegetables and 200-350g of fresh fruits every day. It should be noted that juice cannot replace fruit.

The human body takes in enough vitamins and mineral ions, which is extremely beneficial to the repair of damaged liver cells. In addition, vegetables and fruits are rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce the time that harmful substances stay in the intestine, and prevent colon cancer.

4. Maintain a good mood

A large number of studies and examples have proved that long-lived people have a good attitude and are positive and optimistic about everything, so each of us should maintain a good mood. As we mentioned above, bad emotions have a great impact on liver health, so for the health of the liver, please have a good mood to treat people and things in life.

5. Exercise moderately

Moderate exercise is beneficial to all systems, organs and tissues of the body. You can choose the appropriate exercise method according to your physical condition. For example, the elderly can practice Tai Chi and brisk walking, while adults can run, climb mountains, swim, etc.

For people with liver diseases, except for those with liver failure or fulminant hepatitis who require absolute bed rest, the rest can do appropriate exercise according to their own conditions.

6. Physical Examination

Physical examinations can detect abnormal conditions in the body as early as possible and take corresponding measures as soon as possible.

It is recommended that the normal population has their liver function checked once a year, patients with hepatitis B and C should have their liver function checked every three months, and other patients with liver disease can have their liver function checked every 3-6 months.

Check alpha-fetoprotein and liver ultrasound once a year. Liver disease patients can consult a doctor to increase the frequency of physical examinations.

In the past, physical examinations were not taken seriously by people. Now the situation has improved. I hope everyone can pay attention to physical examinations and undergo them.

Summarize

At present, the situation of liver disease in my country is not optimistic. There are many factors that lead to liver disease and even liver cancer. I hope everyone will pay attention to their own health, be responsible for themselves and their families, take good care of their bodies, do more things that are beneficial to health, and do not do or do as little as possible things that are not good for health. Remember not to overdraw your health when you are young, because you can't make up for it later.

(Author: Cao Maoqiu, Sichuan Cancer Hospital)