Cancer can occur in any part of the body, this disease is considered very dangerous. Every year millions of people around the world become victims of cancer and its mortality rate is also very high. Liver cancer has also been a major health threat globally. Researchers said that some bad lifestyle habits can cause liver problems, even liver cancer.
Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. An estimated 8.30 lakh people died from this disease in the year 2020.
World Liver Day is celebrated every year on 19 April with the aim of making people aware of the global problems related to the liver and educating them about its prevention. Health experts say that liver cancer has increased rapidly in the last decade and everyone should make continuous efforts to prevent it.
Liver cancer
Liver cancer begins in the liver cells. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which occurs in the main type of liver cell (hepatocyte).
Researchers said that changes in the DNA of liver cells can cause cancer. There is also a risk of developing cancer due to chronic hepatitis infection or some types of liver diseases that persist for a long time. But sometimes liver cancer can also occur in people who do not have any underlying disease.
What is the diagnosis of liver cancer?
In most people, liver cancer in its early stages has no signs or symptoms. You may continue to have some digestive problems, however, as the cancer cells grow, the symptoms become more pronounced. Weight loss without effort, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue, and recurring jaundice are also considered early signs of liver cancer.
Which people are more at risk?
Health experts say that people who have long-term infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus have an increased risk of liver cancer. Diseases like cirrhosis can also increase their risks. Apart from this, recurring problems of fatty liver and consumption of alcohol can also make you a victim of liver cancer.
Researchers said that people who have diabetes need to be more careful, the risk of liver cancer in such people may increase over time.
Cancer in diabetic patients
Studies suggest that patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have a higher risk of developing liver cancer. In such people, the risk of cancer has been seen to be two to three times higher than that of people without diabetes. The risk increases further if diabetes is not properly controlled.
In case of high blood sugar, there is more glucose than required to fuel the cells in the body. During the oxidation of excess glucose, harmful chemicals and free radicals are released, which can increase the risk of developing cancer in liver cells.
(PC: ISTOCK)
