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More about Liver Cancer:
Definition Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Clinical staging Treatment Alternative treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources |
There are no useful strategies at present for preventing metastatic cancers of the liver. Primary liver cancers, however, are 75% to 80% preventable. Current strategies focus on widespread vaccination for hepatitis B, early treatment of hereditary hemochromatosis, and screening of high-risk patients with alpha–fetoprotein testing and ultrasound examinations.
Lifestyle factors that can be modified in order to prevent liver cancer include avoidance of exposure to toxic chemicals and foods harboring molds that produce aflatoxin. Most important, however, is avoidance of alcohol and drug abuse. Alcohol abuse is responsible for 60% to 75% of cases of cirrhosis, which is a major risk factor for eventual development of primary liver cancer. Hepatitis is a widespread disease among persons who abuse intravenous drugs.
— Rebecca J. Frey, M.S.; Laura Ruth, Ph.D.
