Liver Cancer Awareness Month: 5 Little-Known Habits That Can Raise Your Risk, Doctor Explains

As October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, doctors emphasize the importance of liver health and early prevention. While a common misconception associates liver cancer primarily with alcohol abuse, many other silent factors can predispose even healthy individuals to the disease. These factors often go unnoticed in everyday habits.

In an interview with Livemint, Dr Bappaditya Har, Consultant Gastrointestinal Oncology, Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Kolkata, shared how everyday oversights can increase the risk and what steps people need to take to prevent developing serious liver disease and cancer.

1. Ignoring hepatitis tests

Many viral infections show no early warning symptoms. “Hepatitis B and C usually progress without causing any symptoms that would prompt a person to see a doctor,” explains Dr. Har. Because of the silent progression, individuals at risk must undergo regular screenings and blood tests to ensure early detection and prevent serious liver damage.

2. Skipping the hepatitis B vaccine

Preventive measures such as the hepatitis B vaccine are often overlooked due to lack of awareness. Dr. Har notes that “although there is a hepatitis B vaccine, many individuals skip it because they believe the infection is not as dangerous as other diseases such as HIV.”

3. Failure to control weight and diabetes

Lifestyle factors play a major role in liver health in addition to substance abuse. With modern shifts toward sedentary routines and poor nutrition, conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes have skyrocketed, the doctor pointed out.

Dr. Har shared that being overweight and uncontrolled diabetes can directly affect the liver and cause chronic inflammation. This alone can put any individual at risk for liver cancer.

4. Alcohol restriction

While heavy drinking is a known threat, moderate or routine consumption can also be harmful. “Not only is heavy and long-term abuse dangerous; regular use of alcohol, even in low or even limited doses, can poison the liver and lead to cirrhosis,” warns Dr. Har. Since cirrhosis is a major precursor to liver cancer, monitoring and limiting alcohol intake is essential.

5. Untreated liver disease

Patients with already diagnosed liver disease require constant medical supervision. Dr Har points out: “Chronicly ill people with liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, which leave long-term effects, require constant checks and surveillance.”

Neglecting routine examinations and existing diagnoses allows even manageable conditions to progress to serious complications, including the risk of liver cancer.

Note to Readers: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor about any medical condition.