3 Out of 5 Liver Cancer Cases Preventable, Says Lancet Commission; Calls for Urgent Focus on Hepatitis, Alcohol, and Obesity
Liver cancer ranks among the top three causes of cancer-related deaths in 46 countries, according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Hepatology. The report predicts a sharp 35% increase in global liver cancer cases, primarily driven by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of fatty liver disease linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers warn that a growing global population, coupled with rising rates of obesity, alcohol use, and viral hepatitis, could lead to a 55% surge in liver cancer cases by 2040. First author Professor Stephen Chan, of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, emphasized that this presents a critical opportunity to act. “The Lancet Commission's findings present a huge opportunity for countries to target risk factors such as viral hepatitis, alcohol, and obesity to prevent liver cancer and save lives,” he said.
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