The Liver Cancer Guide That Could Save Your Life: What Top Doctors Want You to Know.
Mild abdominal pain? Or yellowing of eyes? Well, these seemingly harmless signs might be signaling something far more serious liver cancer. Experts warn that these signs are actual red flags of liver cancer that shouldn’t be ignored. Liver cancer ranks as the eighth most common cancer across all types, with cases rapidly increasing in Ghana.
Experts from India warn that Ghana could soon become the “cancer capital of the world” if the trend continues. The culprits? High alcohol consumption, Hepatitis B, and a sedentary lifestyle are the major risk factors fueling this alarming trend. Today, liver cancer is becoming a silent epidemic, affecting a major portion of the population. But here’s the good news. With cutting-edge technological advancements and certain lifestyle changes we can fight back. Experts say early detection and preventive care can make all the difference.
Ghana Health Journal team spoke to multiple specialists to gain insights into the current state of liver cancer in India online, its causes and potential ways to reverse the trend for Ghanaians
Liver Cancer And Lifestyle Choices: It Starts With You
- As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure” — both the challenge and solution begin with us and our lifestyle choices. Dr Deepashree – Consultant and Clinical Lead, Interventional Radiology, Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Chennai, says, “Lifestyle choices play a huge role in liver health. Consuming contaminated food, chronic alcoholism, excessive smoking are major lifestyle culprits of the same. Balanced diet and regular exercise are the first steps towards prevention of liver cancer.”
- As per Dr Abhishek Bansal – Sr. Consultant & Chief, Interventional Radiology at Aakash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital “We should avoid Aflatoxin-contaminated foods and high sugar and refined carbs as these contribute to obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.”
- Early signs and symptoms of liver cancer can be subtle and easily overlooked. Dr Amar Mukund – Professor and Head of the Intervention Radiology Department at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi adds, “Liver is a very robust and forgiving organ. However, those who already have liver damage, should get themselves checked in a timely manner.”
- In summary, adopting an active lifestyle to prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders, getting vaccinated for HBV, proactive screening for higher risk individuals, along with public awareness campaigns and adoption of advanced diagnostic tools in hospitals is a must towards prevention and treatment.
Cutting-Edge Tech Meets Liver Cancer: Experts Foresee The Future Scope
In addition to lifestyle changes, experts weigh the importance of leveraging modern technological advancements in liver cancer treatment. Dr Abhishek Bansal highlights that “Multi-phase MRI and CT scans provide detailed images of liver lesions, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis of liver cancer, even at small tumor sizes.
Moreover, minimally invasive procedures TACE (Trans-arterial chemoembolization) or TARE (Radioembolization) aids in precise and targeted delivery of chemo drug or radioactive particles directly into the tumor making them highly effective.” Adding to Dr. Bansal’s suggestions, Dr. Amar Mukund emphasized other treatment options like tumor ablation (RFA/MWA) for patients with small HCC.
Minimally invasive treatment options are revolutionizing the sphere of liver care through precise, effective and less traumatic procedures. Unlike the traditional surgeries, these techniques offer a more comprehensive and cost-effective way forward to patients. However, there might be a few hindrances.
Dr Praveen Kesav – Senior Consultant & Head of the Division of Interventional Radiology at Sree Gokulam Medical College, mentions, “high treatment costs, lack of awareness and access are the biggest roadblocks for patients. Regular screening programs, providing financial assistance or subsidies for liver cancer treatments and utilizing telemedicine and organizing outreach programs can help reach patients in remote areas are the best solutions to address these challenges.” Furthermore, Dr Deepashree suggests, “the need to bring specialized care closer to rural areas and raise awareness about liver health so people seek help sooner. Screening programs and free health camps can go a long way in bridging this gap.”
The deterioration of the human body at each stage of liver cancer is a deeply troubling aspect of the disease. Higher mortality rates are often observed in patients who have ignored the early signs and symptoms. Liver cancer might be on the rise as a silent epidemic.
However, awareness coupled with cutting-edge treatments turn out to be a boon for the same. While Cutting-edge technology can offer significant, it can only be truly effective if we are prepared to address the issue with proper knowledge and preventive measures. Adopting a healthy lifestyle along with primary awareness of various stages of this disease is essential today. The key to a healthy, cancer-free life starts with action–and that action starts with us.
<p>The post Understanding Liver Cancer in Ghana: Signs, Prevention and its Latest Treatments first appeared on Ghana Health Journal.</p>
