Liver cancer, once known as the "invisible killer" and "king of cancer", is a common digestive system cancer in China. It often silently and seriously damages human health, progresses rapidly, and has a high mortality rate. Why is there a high incidence of liver cancer in China? Mainly due to the high infection rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China, both of which are important risk factors for liver cancer. The early symptoms of liver cancer are insidious, and many patients are diagnosed in the middle or late stages, missing the best treatment opportunity. Therefore, it is necessary to master the correct coping methods and preventive measures to reduce its incidence and death, and to take care of our "little heart" together. Early liver cancer usually does not cause pain, but these signals cannot be ignored! The liver is a "ninja type" organ, and even if it is damaged, it does not easily cry out in pain. It's not like a stomach, it protests when you eat the wrong thing; It's not like a heart, it beats faster when you're nervous. The liver does not have pain receptors, and even if liver cells are severely damaged, you may still feel nothing. But this does not mean that liver cancer is asymptomatic. If your body experiences the following changes, do not take them lightly, as they may be a "distress signal" from the liver: 1. discomfort, swelling, or pain in the upper right abdomen (liver area); 2. Decreased appetite, feeling like I have no appetite for anything, and even nauseous and vomiting; 3. The weight inexplicably decreased, and the whole person became thinner and thinner; 4. Always feeling tired and weak, even after sleeping enough, lacking energy; 5. Yellowing of skin and eye whites, and even darkening of urine color; 6. Easy to bleed, such as gum bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, or skin bruising. If you or the people around you have these conditions, especially if you have hepatitis B, hepatitis C or cirrhosis, you must check in time! How many high-risk factors for liver cancer do you have? The occurrence of liver cancer is not the result of a sudden alarm, but rather the long-term combined effect of multiple factors. Here are a few main risk factors to see if you belong to the "high-risk group" - viral hepatitis - the top culprit of liver cancer! Viral hepatitis such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C is the culprit! Long term infection with HBV and HCV can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and ultimately develop into liver cancer. In China, more than 80% of liver cancer patients have ever been infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Long term alcoholism - Alcohol leaves scars on the liver. Long term alcoholism can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, which can then develop into cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver cancer. Remember, the damage of alcohol to the liver is like a drop of water piercing through a stone. Don't wait until you have cirrhosis to regret it. Fatty liver - Don't burden the liver too much! With the increasing obesity rate, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an important cause of liver cancer. Obesity, high-fat diet, diabetes and other factors can cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may develop into cirrhosis or even liver cancer if it is not controlled for a long time. Don't let fatty liver become a breeding ground for liver cancer! Aflatoxin - Do not eat moldy food! Moldy peanuts, rice, and corn contain aflatoxin B1, which is a strong carcinogen and long-term intake may induce liver cancer. Drug abuse and long-term use of certain drugs (such as hormones, certain antibiotics) or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as dioxins, arsenic) can increase the risk of liver cancer. It is recommended that individuals with the above high-risk factors undergo regular check ups every 6 to 12 months for early detection and prevention. How to detect liver cancer early? These checks are very important! Early detection is the key to improving the cure rate of liver cancer. According to personal circumstances and doctor's advice, one or more of the following examination methods can be used to detect liver abnormalities in a timely manner: 1. Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) detection: AFP is a biomarker of liver cancer, and some early liver cancer patients have elevated AFP levels. A small proportion of liver cancer patients may present with normal AFP, which needs to be judged in conjunction with other examinations. 2. Liver ultrasound examination: non-invasive, convenient, and inexpensive, it can observe the morphology of the liver and is the most commonly used screening method for liver cancer. 3. Enhanced CT scan of the liver: After injection of contrast agent, the characteristics of liver lesions are more clearly displayed, which helps to distinguish between benign and malignant, determine staging, and accurately characterize suspicious lesions. 4. Liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination: It has advantages in distinguishing liver cancer from benign diseases due to its high resolution of soft tissue and multi-dimensional imaging. 5. Liver biopsy: It is the "gold standard" for diagnosing liver cancer. For liver mass patients who do not meet clinical diagnostic criteria, such as those with insignificant AFP elevation and atypical CT/MRI manifestations, liver biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. How to prevent liver cancer? Nourishing and protecting the liver starts today! The good news is that liver cancer can be prevented! The following are effective measures to reduce the risk of liver cancer: 1. Vaccination of hepatitis B: Vaccination as soon as possible is the most effective means to prevent hepatitis B and related liver cancer. 2. Regular physical examination: especially for hepatitis B carriers and patients with chronic liver disease, B ultrasound and alpha fetoprotein examination should be performed regularly. 3. Do not drink alcohol or drink less alcohol: Alcohol can be harmful to the liver, so it is best to reduce or quit. 4. Eat a healthy diet and stay away from moldy foods: avoid eating moldy peanuts, corn, beans, etc., and reduce the intake of aflatoxins. 5. Control weight and prevent fatty liver: Eat a reasonable diet, exercise regularly, and avoid obesity. 6. Medication caution: Do not abuse drugs, long-term medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor. Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Although it is terrifying, we can completely reduce the risk through measures such as vaccination, healthy diet, and regular screening. Although your liver may be quiet and introverted, it needs your care. Take action now to protect your liver, care for your health, scientifically prevent and treat it, and truly achieve the goal of keeping your liver as clean as ever! (New Society)