Liver Cancer on the Rise: Why Liver Disease and Cirrhosis Put You at Much Higher RiskLiver Cancer on the Rise: Why Liver Disease and Cirrhosis Put You at Much Higher Risk

Liver cancer is now recognized as a significant health issue, no longer considered rare. In recent years, the number of diagnoses in the United States has increased notably. Although liver cancer can affect anyone, individuals with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis face a much higher risk of developing it. If you or someone you know has liver disease, it’s important to be aware of this increased risk and take actions to stay healthy.

A Silent but Growing Threat

A Silent but Growing ThreatLiver cancer often develops quietly, showing no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms do appear, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage. This characteristic contributes to its danger.

According to the American Cancer Society, liver cancer is becoming more common. This rise is partly because of being overweight, having diabetes, drinking alcohol, and getting viruses like hepatitis B and C.

Having a liver problem, especially cirrhosis (the last stage of long-term liver disease), greatly increases the chances of getting liver cancer.

What Is Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver tissue, often due to years of chronic inflammation or liver damage. This scarring makes it harder for the liver to do important jobs, like cleaning toxins, producing bile, and processing food and drugs.

Common causes of cirrhosis include:

– Chronic hepatitis B or C

– Alcoholic liver disease

– Fatty liver disease not caused by alcohol (NAFLD) and its more severe form (NASH)

– Inherited liver conditions

When cirrhosis is present, the liver has a higher chance of developing cancer.

Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer: The Strongest Link

Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer: The Strongest LinkCirrhosis, a liver problem, greatly raises the chance of getting liver cancer. Research shows that most liver cancer patients in the U.S. – about 80 to 90 percent – already have cirrhosis. Because of this, it’s very important for anyone with liver disease to get checked regularly and find problems early.

People with cirrhosis are typically screened for liver cancer every six months. These tests include scans, like ultrasounds, and blood work to find tumors early. Such surveillance is essential because early-stage liver cancer can be treated more effectively and, in some cases, even cured.

Why Are Liver Cancer Rates Increasing?

Several public health trends are contributing to the rise in liver cancer:

  1. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are becoming increasingly common. Both conditions are closely linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and eventually lead to cirrhosis.
  1. Chronic alcohol consumption remains a significant cause of liver damage.
  1. While hepatitis B and C can now be treated more effectively, many people are still living with these infections without being diagnosed.
  1. NAFLD and NASH often go unnoticed for years, as they typically do not cause symptoms until liver damage has become severe.

The good news is that liver disease, and even early-stage cirrhosis, can sometimes be reversed or managed, particularly with early intervention.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Liver What You Can Do to Protect Your Liver

If you have fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis, or if you are at risk because of obesity or diabetes, it’s important to visit your doctor often. Here’s what you can do to help yourself:

  1. Have your liver checked regularly with tests and scans.
  2. Stay away from alcohol and medicines you don’t need.
  3. Control health problems like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
  4. Eat a healthy diet for your liver, with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins.
  5. Keep a healthy weight. 
  6. Most importantly, act quickly. The faster you deal with liver disease, the less likely you are to have serious problems, like cancer.

Clinical Trials: A Hopeful Path ForwardClinical Trials: A Hopeful Path Forward

Research keeps moving forward, and being part of a study allows you to try new investigational treatment options while helping improve liver treatment for future generations.

At Quality Research, we are currently enrolling participants for a study on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—a condition that often arises from fatty liver disease and can lead to cirrhosis. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with fatty liver disease or NASH, you may qualify to participate in this important study.

👉 Click here to learn more about the NASH Fatty Liver Clinical Trial.

Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is Your Best ProtectionFinal Thoughts: Knowledge Is Your Best Protection

Liver cancer is increasing, but awareness and proactive measures can make a significant difference. If you have liver problems, especially cirrhosis, you’re much more likely to get liver cancer, but you can still do something about it. It’s important to learn about your condition, keep an eye on your liver, and look into studies like clinical trials. You can take control of your health, and we are here for you.