Am I At Risk for Liver Cancer?

Drinking a lot of alcohol increases your risk of liver cancer.

There is no way to know for sure if you’re going to get liver cancer. Certain factors can make one person more likely to get liver cancer than another person. These are called risk factors. However, just because a person has one or more risk factors does not mean that person will get liver cancer. In fact, a person can have all the risk factors and still not get the disease. On the other hand, a person can have no risk factors and still get liver cancer.

Still, talk to your doctor about how to lower your risk if you agree with any of the bolded statements.

I have liver disease.

People who have been infected with the virus that causes hepatitis B or hepatitis C have an increased chance of getting liver cancer. This is especially true in people who have a chronic, active infection. These viruses can cause an inflammation in the liver that leads to scarring, also called cirrhosis. People with cirrhosis of the liver are at higher risk for liver cancer, no matter what is the cause of the cirrhosis. About 5% of people with cirrhosis will get liver cancer.

I drink a lot of alcohol.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol has also been linked to a higher risk of getting liver cancer. Alcohol damages the liver and may cause cirrhosis, which is a known risk factor for liver cancer.

I have had chemical exposure.

People who are exposed to these chemicals have a greater risk of getting liver cancer.

• Aflatoxin. This chemical is made by a fungus usually found in tropical areas, such as the Amazon River Valley, and some parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia . It can also be found in subtropical areas, such as Florida and the Caribbean . The fungus, Aspergillus flavus, taints peanuts, corn, rice, soybeans, and wheat grains in those areas of the world. You can be exposed to this chemical by eating these foods.

• Anabolic steroids. These are male hormones some athletes take to gain strength and speed. Some people take them for medical reasons. Studies are being done to see whether a link exists between anabolic steroids and liver cancer.

• Arsenic. Eating a large amount of arsenic over a long period of time can increase your chance of getting liver cancer.

• Thorotrast. Thorotrast is an agent that gives off high levels of radiation. It was used as a dye in X-ray studies in the 1930s. This agent has been linked to hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

I have another disease.

Several other diseases have been linked to a higher risk of getting liver cancer. These diseases include:

• Cryptogenic cirrhosis

• Hemochromatosis

• Hereditary tyrosinemia

• Primary biliary cirrhosis

• Wilson’s disease