October 9, 2018 | Category: Uncategorized

Unlike age or family history, these liver cancer risk factors are preventable.

Imagine your liver sort of like a high-tech purifier.

Often called the workhorse of the digestive system, its main job is to filter anything eaten or consumed by you — whether that’s food, alcohol, medicine or toxins. It also helps to detoxify chemicals and metabolize drugs.

The liver deserves some kudos.

It also deserves some help.

Certain behaviors increase our risk of cancer, specifically liver cancer. And while you can’t change some things, like your age or your family history, you can actively reduce your chance of developing cancer and, in turn, ease some of the burden on your second-largest organ.

It is, after all, the only one you got.

Obesity

Studies have shown that a high body mass index (BMI) and a large waist circumference are associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70 percent of adults aged 20 and older are overweight — and about 40 percent are obese. As Americans grow in size, so does the liver cancer rates.

For every 5 kg increase in BMI, scientists have seen a 38 and 25 increase in risk for liver cancer among men and women, respectively. An 8 percent increase in risk accompanied every 5 cm increase in waste circumference.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent obesity related health problems.

What to do?

  • Exercise regularly: You need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week to prevent weight gain.
  • Step on the scale: People who weigh themselves at least once a week are more successful in keeping off extra pounds.
  • Eat healthy: Look for low-calorie, nutrient dense foods at the grocery store. We recommend vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Kick the saturated fats, sweets and alcohol to the curb. When you do indulge, remember to do so in moderation.

Heavy alcohol use

The best amount of alcohol is no alcohol. But, unfortunately, not many people want to toast to that.

So, when you do drink, moderation is key. That’s one drink per day for women, and two for men.

In the United States, amounts are based on a “standard drink,” says Ting-Hui Hsieh, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Consultants. This can be defined as 14 to 15 grams of ethanol, 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.

Research from the World Cancer Research Fund found evidence suggesting that only three drinks or more each day for male, and two drinks or more each day for female can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. And why is that?

Because alcohol acts like a poison to your liver.  The body can’t store alcohol, and so the liver works to detox the beverage from your system. However, in the process, the alcohol destroys the liver’s cells.

In many cases, this is reversible.  (Turns out, the organ also has superpowers: regeneration. To a point, the liver can heal itself after it’s been damaged.)

However, once the damage crosses into cirrhosis, it might be too late.

Hepatitis B and C Infection

More than 3 million Americans live with hepatitis C and don’t even know they have it. HCV can remain unrecognized for years, or even decades, before causing any trouble.

Baby boomers, who were born between 1945 and 1965, are five times more likely than average population to have hepatitis C, Dr. Hsieh said.

The CDC recommends routine screening for hepatitis C in baby boomers and high-risk patients. While there is no vaccine for HCV, the right treatment can eliminate the virus in most cases.

Hepatitis B, like C, is common and transmitted by similar means: unprotected sex and sharing of needles. Vaccines for hepatitis B are available.

If left untreated, both can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. If you think you’re at risk for either hepatitis B or C infection, speak to your physician about a screening test.

Cirrhosis

Each time your liver is damaged, it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. Cirrhosis is late-stage scarring of the liver.

Not everyone who drinks heavily develops cirrhosis. In fact, cirrhosis can be the result of many forms of liver diseases and conditions. For example, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when too much fat is stored in the liver cells – and can slowly progress to cirrhosis over decades.

Often, cirrhosis shows no signs or symptoms until damage is extensive. However, they may include: fatigue, itchy skin, weight loss, nausea and jaundice.

Ting-Hui Hsieh, MD, pronounced “Dr. Shay,” completed his medical education, internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at National Taiwan University Hospital. He moved to the United States in 2006 to continue his training at the Mayo Clinic. In 2015, Dr. Hsieh moved to Reno to join Gastroenterology Consultants.

For more information, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Hsieh or one of our other physicians, located conveniently in Reno and Carson City.