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Global Rates of Liver Cancer Could Rise by More Than 50 Percent by 2040

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Global Rates of Liver Cancer Could Rise by More Than 50 Percent by 2040

In the year 2020, primary liver cancer cases contributed to the top 3 causes of cancer deaths in 45 countries.

As per the latest data, the number of suffering people from the condition may rise up to 55% by 2040. The results came along after a thorough analysis conducted on hundreds of patients.

In order to avoid this increased rate, countries need to adopt a more serious plan. To be precise, they can easily lower down the liver cancer incidence and death by up to 3%.

The above findings were published in the Journal of Hepatology on October 5, 2022.

This is what the senior author Isabelle Soerjomataram, MD, PhD, deputy branch head of cancer surveillance for the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France has to say, “It is also largely preventable if control efforts are prioritized — major risk factors include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, and metabolic conditions including type 2 diabetes.”

He further added, “Liver cancer remains a major health issue globally, and in some countries it is the first in new cancer cases and number of cancer deaths,” says Bassam Estfan, MD, a hematologist and oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, who was not involved in the study. “Preventing and managing the condition requires a global effort and good access to healthcare and treatment, which may be a challenge in many countries with high rates of its incidence,” he said.

 

Over 25,000 People Die of Liver Cancer in the U.S. Annually

Primary liver cancer is the name given to the cancer when it first appears in the liver. The most common type is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

There are some cases of HCC that initiate in the form of a simple tumor and then continues to grow further. By the time this happens, it mainly spreads the disease to other parts of the body.

There is a 2nd type that also exists. In this condition, a number of small small cancer nodules throughout the liver. It’s generally seen in people who are suffering from conditions like cirrhosis (chronic liver damage). You might wonder to know that it happens to be the most common type of condition in the United States.

 

Over 8,50,000 People Diagnosed With Liver Cancer in 2020

Looking at the alarming rise in the cases of primary liver cancer cases, investigators decided to referred International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2020 database.

It’s because the agency specifically speculates cancer incidence and mortality estimates for as many as 35 cancer types in 185 countries worldwide.

And so, the above speculated cancer cases or deaths by the year 2040 was mainly used with the help of projections from the United Nations.

Due to their continued efforts in this direction, the investigators came to know that up to 905,700 people were diagnosed with the condition of liver cancer.

Out of these figures, almost 830,200 died of liver cancer globally. And this places the liver cancer among the top 5 causes of cancer death in as many as 100 countries.

Please note that mortality rates due to liver cancer is highest among countries in Southeast Asia, North Africa, and East Asia.

Investigators further predict that if above rates continue to prevail, the overall liver cancer cases could see a steep hike up to 55% in the next 20 years or so.

 

Also Read: Scientists Discover Key to Hepatitis A Replication & Show Drug Effectiveness

By 2040, People Diagnosed With Liver Cancer May Increase Up To Half Million

This is what Dr. Soerjomataram has to say, “The number of people diagnosed with or dying from liver cancer per year could increase by nearly 500,000 cases or deaths by 2040 unless we achieve a substantial decrease in liver cancer rates through primary prevention,” he said.

In order to decline the cases of liver cancer globally, countries need to decline such cases by up to 3% by using various preventive measures.

 

Liver Cancer Is Less Common in the U.S.

As per a global research, the cases of liver cancer are mostly found in other parts of the world as compared to the US. In other words, such cases are known to have been constantly declining, as per CDC.

According to the latest figures supplied by the CDC, almost 25,000 men and 11,000 women in the US usually get liver cancer annually.

Out of these figures, almost 19,000 men and 9,000 women die from the disease.

Out of many reasons, alcohol abuse happens to be the major reason to cause liver cirrhosis along with the increased risk of liver cancer.

This is what an expert has to say, “One rising cause of fatty liver and cirrhosis is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, often a result of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes,” he says. “These are manageable conditions through healthy lifestyle and medical management.”

 

Vital Tips to Keep Your Liver Healthy

Just like many other body parts, liver plays a vital role. And so, it is very important to keep your liver healthy. In case, you are at risk of having a liver ailment or a similar condition, it becomes important to keep your liver healthy at all times.

Even if you don’t suffer from any sort of liver disease, it is equally important to keep your liver healthy. This is the reason why we have given some useful tips to keep your liver healthy at all times.

  • Alcohol Consumption– In order to keep your liver safe, it is very important that you limit your alcohol consumption. To be safe, don’t take more than 2 alcohol units per day. And women should not take more than 1 drink per day.
  • Weight: In order to keep your liver safe, always try to maintain a normal weight of your body
  • Quit Smoking: Simply quit smoking as it is dangerous to health
  • Get yourself vaccinated against hepatitis B
  • Get yourself tested for hepatitis B

 

Also Read: Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Can Be Prevented By Avoiding High Fructose Consumption, Study

 

 

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