Risk Factors for Liver cancer

List of Risk Factors for Liver cancer

The list of risk factors mentioned for Liver cancer in various sources includes:

• Chronic liver infection (hepatitis)
• Chronic hepatitis B
• Chronic hepatitis C
• Cirrhosis - about 5% of cirrhosis cases get liver cancer later.
• Aflatoxin
• Aspergillus flavus
• Gender - males about twice as often as females.
• Family history of liver cancer
• Age - more common over 60 than in younger adults.

Risk factors discussion:

What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI (Excerpt)

Smoking may also increase the likelihood of developing cancers of the stomach, liver, prostate, colon, and rectum. The risk of cancer begins to decrease soon after a smoker quits, and the risk continues to decline gradually each year after quitting. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI)

What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI (Excerpt)

Heavy drinkers have an increased risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, and liver. (People who smoke cigarettes and drink heavily have an especially high risk of getting these cancers.) Some studies suggest that even moderate drinking may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI)

What You Need To Know About Liver Cancer: NCI (Excerpt)

Studies have shown the following risk factors:

• Chronic liver infection (hepatitis ) -- Certain viruses can infect the liver. The infection may be chronic. (It may not go away.) The most important risk factor for liver cancer is a chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus or the hepatitis C virus. These viruses can be passed from person to person through blood (such as by sharing needles) or sexual contact. An infant may catch these viruses from an infected mother. Liver cancer can develop after many years of infection with the virus.

  These infections may not cause symptoms , but blood tests can show whether either virus is present. If so, the doctor may suggest treatment. Also, the doctor may discuss ways of avoiding infecting other people.

  In people who are not already infected with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B vaccine can prevent chronic hepatitis B infection and can protect against liver cancer. Researchers are now working to develop a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.

• Cirrhosis -- Cirrhosis is a disease that develops when liver cells are damaged and replaced with scar tissue. Cirrhosis may be caused by alcohol abuse, certain drugs and other chemicals, and certain viruses or parasites . About 5 percent of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.

• Aflatoxin -- Liver cancer can be caused by aflatoxin, a harmful substance made by certain types of mold . Aflatoxin can form on peanuts, corn, and other nuts and grains. In Asia and Africa, aflatoxin contamination is a problem. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not allow the sale of foods that have high levels of aflatoxin.

• Being male -- Men are twice as likely as women to get liver cancer.

• Family history -- People who have family members with liver cancer may be more likely to get the disease.

• Age -- In the United States, liver cancer occurs more often in people over age 60 than in younger people.

The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that liver cancer will develop. However, many people with known risk factors for liver cancer do not develop the disease. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Liver Cancer: NCI)

Risks factors for Liver cancer: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Liver cancer:

• 17 substances added to America's list of carcinogens
• Chip determines liver cancer prognosis following surgery
• Coffee drinkers help their liver
• Diabetes and sugar level linked to risk of cancer death
• Fatty liver disease not linked to cancer development
• Liver disease prevented with hot beverages
• New Dietary Guidelines support numerous research results
• Passive smoking during childhood increases risk of adult lung cancer
• People who received blood transfusions prior to 1975 may have been infected with Hepatitis C
• More news »

About risk factors:

Risk factors for Liver cancer are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Liver cancer makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Liver cancer. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Liver cancer. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center.

 » Next page: Symptoms of Liver cancer

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