Prevent Liver Cancer by Changing Habits! The Number of Patients Could Nearly Double by 2050? Decide How to Address Liver Cancer Now

The Reality That "By Changing Your Lifestyle Slightly, You Might Prevent 60% of Liver Cancer"

"Among Cancers, a 'Threat That Has Increased Over Time'" - The World Seriously Warns About Liver Cancer

According to an international report introduced by Brazil's media "UOL VivaBem," it is suggested that up to 60% of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)can potentially be prevented through lifestyle changes and infection control.f5news.com.br

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide in terms of incidence, but it has already risen tothe third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. If the current pace continues,the annual number of new cases is predicted to increase from about 870,000 currently to nearly 1.5 million by 2050.f5news.com.br

"A cancer with not so many cases, yet a very high mortality rate." That is the image of liver cancer. And a significant portion of this "serious cancer" can bereduced through lifestyle changes and infection prevention—this is the message conveyed by the recent report.f5news.com.br

What Leads to Liver Cancer? Four Major Risks

Based on the report and expert explanations, the following four are currently cited as the main causes of liver cancer.f5news.com.br

1. Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections

2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

3. Metabolic-related Issues such as Fatty Liver and NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis)

4. Smoking and Other Lifestyle Risks

In the past, the pattern was primarily liver cancer resulting from cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, which spread through blood transfusions and shared syringes, and long-term excessive alcohol consumption.Hepatitis C.f5news.com.br

However, in Brazil, with thorough virus testing during blood transfusions and highly effective treatments for hepatitis C available through the public healthcare system, cancers caused by viral hepatitis are gradually decreasing.f5news.com.br

Instead, what is increasing isliver cancer from fatty liver associated with obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Particularly, "NASH," where fat accumulates in the liver leading to inflammation and fibrosis, is known to increase cancer risk.f5news.com.br

The Hope of "Preventable by Lifestyle" and the Challenge of the "Silent Organ"

The liver is called the "silent organ." It shows almost no symptoms until it becomes quite bad.By the time signs like fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal bloating appear, the disease may have already progressed significantly..f5news.com.br

Therefore, the report strongly advocates for advancing both "prevention" and "early detection" together.f5news.com.br

• Thorough Hepatitis B Vaccination

• Testing for Hepatitis C and Access to Appropriate Treatment

• Measures Against Obesity and Diabetes, and Control of Alcohol Consumption

• Regular Liver Ultrasound Examinations for High-Risk Groups, etc.

By combining these, the message is that the risk can be reduced to the level where "60% is preventable."f5news.com.br

How Did Social Media React? Three Types of Reactions

This news has been shared not only on Brazilian news sites but also on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, eliciting various reactions.X (formerly Twitter)

Summarizing the actual posts and tones, they can be broadly divided into the following three categories (※The following is a reconstruction and summary based on the content of reports and actual comment trends).

1. People Feeling "Shock" and "Guilt"

"I love drinking and I'm overweight, it's exactly about me..."
"My father died of liver cancer. I wish this information had been more widespread earlier."

Voices expressing anxiety about being at high risk themselves and those recalling family experiences with a heavy heart are often seen.

2. Positive Reactions Wanting to "Take Action"

"This became the trigger to start a no-drinking challenge."
"First, I made an appointment for a liver checkup today."

There are also many people who, inspired by this article, want to change their lifestyle or take concrete steps like getting tested.

3. Opinions That "Not Only Individual Efforts, but Social Systems Should Change"

"Only junk food and cheap alcohol are affordable. Healthy options need to be more accessible."
"There should be a system where vaccines and tests are available for free."

Posts advocating not just individual responsibility but also the need for environmental and institutional improvements are prominent.

When it's said that "60% can be prevented," there's a tendency to create a precarious atmosphere of "So, those who couldn't prevent it lacked self-management?" On social media, voices pointing out discomfort with such a trend were also observed.

"60% Preventable" Also Means "40% Cannot Be Prevented"

What is important here is the point that **"Just because prevention is possible, it doesn't mean it's okay to blame the individual patient."**

• Many people are unaware of when they got infected with the hepatitis virus

• Some people find it difficult to access tests and treatments due to economic circumstances or regional differences

• Genetic factors also play a role in susceptibility to obesity and fatty liver

In other words, a paradoxical situation can occur where those who lack the means to change their lifestyle, access correct information, or receive support are more likely to be at risk.

The report's appeal is better understood as advocating for **creating a societal framework to protect as many people as possible who can be protected through prevention,** rather than imposing "self-responsibility" on individuals.f5news.com.br

"Five Actions to Protect Your Liver" You Can Start Today

So, what can be done in daily life? Here, we organize the recommendations from medical institutions and the report's suggestions into a form that is easy to apply to life in Japan.f5news.com.br

1. Check for Hepatitis Virus

• If you've never been tested,get tested for Hepatitis B and C.

• Especially check if you have a history of blood transfusions, lived in areas where syringes were reused in the past, or are a healthcare worker

For Hepatitis C, highly effective treatments are now available, and by "detecting and properly treating it," the future risk of liver cancer can be significantly reduced.f5news.com.br

2. Review the "Amount" and "Frequency" of Alcohol Consumption

• "Create alcohol-free days"

• "Set a weekly total amount"

• "Reflect on whether alcohol is your only means of stress relief"

Even if complete abstinence is difficult at first,reducing the amount and increasing alcohol-free dayscan change long-term risks.

3. Gradually Adjust Weight, Waist, and Blood Sugar Levels

Fatty liver is a "slowly and quietly progressing" type of risk.

• Aim for "2 kg in six months" rather than "10 kg at once"

• Increase walking time by 10 minutes a day

• Change sweet drinks and snacks from "daily" to "a few times a week"

Even this level of change can make a significant difference in the burden on the liver over years or decades.f5news.com.br