What Are the Risk Factors for Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is known for its poor prognosis, with the French League Against Cancer reporting 11,660 new cases in France in 2023, predominantly affecting men. The disease typically arises in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions, such as alcoholic cirrhosis or viral hepatitis.
Alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor, responsible for 48% of new liver cancer cases, according to the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). Other significant risk factors include tobacco use, hepatitis B and C infections, obesity, hemochromatosis, fatty liver disease, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is often detected during routine monitoring of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis or viral hepatitis. However, when it occurs in otherwise healthy individuals, it can be asymptomatic in the early stages, leading to delayed diagnoses. This “silent” nature of the disease means that symptoms may only emerge as it progresses.
Symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the cancer and may include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Awareness of these symptoms is crucial for early detection and intervention.
