Liver cancer can be prevented by reducing a person’s exposure to the most known risk factors. The preventive measures to be taken for liver cancer include:
Limiting the use of tobacco and alcohol
Drinking alcohol in moderation or not drinking at all can lower the risk of developing cirrhosis which in turn can prevent liver cancer. Limiting the use of tobacco or quitting all together is ideal as smoking has been linked to liver cancer and quitting can reduce the risk of developing it.
Healthy weight
Getting to or staying at a healthy weight is important as obesity has been linked to liver conditions like fatty liver disease and diabetes which can cause liver cancer. The only way to prevent these conditions and lower the risk of developing liver cancer is to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
Avoiding and treating hepatitis
The most well-known risk factor of liver cancer is known to be the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections. These viruses can spread from person to person through contaminated needles, blood transfusion, and unprotected sex. Some of these infections can be prevented by having protected sex and by not sharing needles. A vaccine can be used to prevent developing a hepatitis infection and it is recommended that all children and adults should be immunized . It is also recommended that blood banks check for these kind of viruses before taking blood from a person. Treatment is recommended for a person who is infected by the virus as treatment can reduce the risk of developing liver cancer. There are also a number of drugs that are available to treat hepatitis B or hepatitis C and these are used to reduce the number of viruses in the blood and lessen the liver damage. These drugs can also help to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Limit exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
Changing the way grains are stored can reduce the exposure to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a kind of fungus that can contaminate grains like peanuts and they grow in a warm environment. Prolonged exposure to aflatoxins can cause cancer.
Treating inherited diseases
Certain inherited diseases are the cause of cirrhosis in the liver and this can lead to liver cancer. It is of utmost importance to find these inherited diseases and treat them the right way to prevent the development of liver cancer.
