A significant number of liver cancer cases are preventable through measures targeting viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This conclusion stems from a comprehensive analysis published in The Lancet.
Liver cancer is currently among the deadliest forms of oncology, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the sixth most common cancer globally. Incidence rates are particularly high in China, accounting for over 40 percent of all cases. Projections from the analysis indicate that by 2050, the number of new cases could nearly double from 870,000 to 1.52 million annually, with deaths rising from 760,000 to 1.37 million.
However, researchers highlight that approximately 60 percent of these cases are linked to controllable risk factors, including Hepatitis B and C viruses, alcohol, and MASLD. Notably, MASLD, often associated with obesity, is emerging as the fastest-growing cause of liver cancer worldwide, particularly prevalent in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The study`s authors propose several strategies to combat the disease`s progression: expanding Hepatitis B vaccination programs, implementing widespread screening for hepatitis and liver damage, restricting alcohol advertising, setting minimum alcohol pricing, and launching public health campaigns promoting healthier lifestyles. They estimate that an annual reduction in incidence by just 2-5 percent could prevent up to 17 million cases and save up to 15 million lives.
Scientists emphasize that despite the challenges in treating liver cancer, its global burden can be substantially reduced by prioritizing disease prevention.
