Skip to main

Liver Cancer Prevention

There is no known cure for liver cancer, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk.

Preventing Liver Cancer

Each year in the United States, tens of thousands of men and women are diagnosed with liver cancer, and many will die from the disease. The rates of liver cancer have more than tripled since 1980, and the death rates have more than doubled.

These may be startling statistics, but the good news is there are ways to prevent liver cancer by making lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship doesn’t stop at just treating liver cancer — we innovate new approaches to understanding, screening and preventing liver cancer.

What Does the Liver Do?

Your liver is located on the upper right side of your body, just behind the ribs, and it performs many important functions.

  • Nutrient storage. The liver absorbs and stores key nutrients from the blood.
  • Waste removal. The liver removes waste and worn-out cells from the blood.
  • Filtering. The liver filters and processes chemicals in food, alcohol and medications.
  • Bile production. The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats and eliminate waste.

What Are Liver Cancer Risk Factors?

Liver cancer risk factors include various conditions and habits that can impact your chances of developing the disease. Understanding these factors is important for managing liver cancer risks effectively.

  • Viral hepatitis. Hepatitis viruses infect the liver, and chronic infection is the biggest risk factor for liver cancer worldwide. The two types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In the United States, infection with hepatitis C is the more common cause of primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while in Asia and developing countries, it’s hepatitis B.
  • Cirrhosis. This is a disease where liver cells become damaged and are then replaced by scar tissue. There are several causes of cirrhosis; in the U.S., cases tend to occur in people who abuse alcohol or have chronic hepatitis infections.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking (at least six drinks daily) can cause cirrhosis, or damage to the liver.
  • Smoking. The carcinogens from tobacco cause stress to the liver, thus elevating the risk of liver cancer.
  • Anabolic steroid use. Male hormones used to boost muscle mass can also boost liver cancer risk with long-term use.
  • Sex. Men are more likely to get HCC than women.
  • Race. In the United States, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders tend to have the highest rates of liver cancer. This is followed by Latinos, American Indians and African Americans.
  • Age. Primary liver cancer occurs most often in people older than 60.
  • Weight. Obesity, or a body mass index of 30 or higher, increases the risk of liver cancer.
  • Rare diseases. Liver diseases such as hemochromatosis (iron in the organs), Wilson’s disease, tyrosinemia, alpha1-antityrpsin deficiency and glycogen storage diseases are connected to a higher risk of liver cancer.
  • Diabetes. Because of the link between diabetes and fatty liver disease, studies indicate diabetes can be a risk factor for liver cancer.

Liver Cancer and Hepatitis

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver transmitted through blood and body fluids. Some people develop an acute illness that lasts for less than six months, while others get chronic hepatitis B, which is long lasting and can cause inflammation and scarring.

Hepatitis C is chronic and asymptomatic — in some cases, for decades — and causes liver inflammation and damage. It is transmitted by exposure to blood infected with the hepatitis C virus. People born between 1945 and 1965 are more likely to be infected than any other age group.

Chronic hepatitis can cause inflammation in the liver, which over time can lead to cirrhosis, and in some cases, it may also increase the risk of developing liver cancer.

Liver Cancer Prevention Guidelines

Because risk factors are cumulative, the more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing liver cancer. Certain hereditary traits, as well as age, sex and race, cannot be altered with lifestyle changes. But there are measures you can take to help protect yourself against environmental factors that can lead to liver cancer.

So, what can you do to prevent liver cancer? The National Cancer Institute advises that you:

  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Limit your alcohol intake.
  • Vaccinate against hepatitis B. The vaccine is recommended for all infants and for adults who may be at an elevated risk of liver cancer. Protecting against hepatitis can reduce overall incidences of liver cancer by half.
  • Test for hepatitis C and receive medical care if you test positive. Additional steps include using a condom during sexual intercourse and avoiding the use of intravenous drugs.
  • Screen for liver cancer if you have multiple risk factors for the disease.