Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent liver cancer. 

It is the third most prevalent cancer among Filipinos, ranking second in men and ninth in women.

DOH CLCHD Non-Communicable Disease Cluster Senior Health Program Officer Agnes Alipio explained  that liver cancer, or Hepatocellular carcinoma, is a malignant tumor developing from chronic liver disease, especially in individuals with cirrhosis, liver damage, or Hepatitis B infection.

Unhealthy lifestyles and specific conditions, including hepatitis B and C infections, alcoholic liver disease from excessive alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk factors such as high cholesterol, specific drugs, obesity, arterial hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes, increase the risk of liver cancer.

Alipio stressed that adopting a healthy lifestyle and incorporating sufficient nutritious foods can reduce the likelihood of developing liver cancer. 

She also advised moderation in alcohol consumption, recommending no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.

Signs and symptoms of liver cancer include abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes or jaundice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, and itchy skin.

Early-stage treatments include surgery, Transarterial Chemoembolization, and Transarterial Radioembolization. 

In advanced stages, medical treatments like chemotherapy are administered, while comfort measures are implemented for end-stage cases.

“The DOH and our partners will continue to provide the necessary intervention to prevent and fight the threat of liver cancer as much as we can,” Alipio said. 

January is observed as Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month. (PIA 3)