The number of cases for many forms of cancer has been on the decline in recent years. But liver cancer death rates are on the rise, and the causes seem fairly clear. It's not only what we eat and drink--it's how much.
Liver cancer claimed about 13-thousand lives in the United States about ten years ago. Since then, deaths from liver cancer have shot up almost 40 percent. The American Liver Foundation says liver cancer deaths will soon reach 19-thousand a year, and the rate is expected to continue to climb as Americans abuse their livers in a variety of ways.
Liver cancer is often preceded by other liver conditions, especially fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. These conditions usually result from drinking too much alcohol (cirrhosis), and by eating too many foods that are not, in the long run, liver friendly (fatty liver disease).
And cases of hepatitis, a viral infection that attacks the liver, are on the increase too. In cases of cirrhosis, which is usually brought on by overuse of alcohol, the liver becomes scarred. The scar tissue starts replacing healthy liver tissue. When the liver is scarred, the liver tissue becomes harder and the liver doesn't function as it should.
Cirrhosis can also be caused by hepatitis. Hepatitis C, is now the fourth-leading cause of deaths related to liver cancer in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have been infected with hepatitis C, and about 1.5 million have been infected with hepatitis B. A vaccine is available to protect against the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C can be treated with the help of a medical professional.
Fatty liver can also be caused by drinking too much. But fatty liver can result from a poor diet.
Fatty liver disease can result from overeating, eat food that's not healthy, or from not getting enough exercise. In these circumstances, large droplets of fat begin to form in the liver. When this happens, the liver starts producing more enzymes. Abnormal amounts of enzymes may inflame liver tissue, leading to scarring.
Obesity and diabetes are major causes of fatty liver disease. Recent statistics say as many as 1 in 5 Americans now have it.
Health authorities in both the United States and Canada agree that fatty liver disease, caused by obesity, is now a larger general threat to health than cirrhosis.
Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis can be prevented by avoiding alcohol and eating a modest, balanced diet.
Liver function tests can detect many forms of liver disease. These can be especially important since many symptoms of liver disease (and even liver cancer) sometimes don't appear until the disease has progressed significantly.
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