Are There Any Known Liver Cancer Causes?

It has not been determined at this time what the specific liver cancer causes are however there are several factors that may be used to determine if a person is at a higher risk for developing this cancer. Some of these risk factors include the following:

Age and Gender

In most cases liver cancer is most common in older males, generally over the age of sixty years. It has been suggested that men are twice as likely to develop this cancer as women are.

Family History

If someone in your family has had liver cancer it is known to increase your chances of developing this disease yourself.

Heredity

Some liver disease that may be inherited from other family members such as parents or grandparents may increase the chances of developing liver cancer. Even some liver diseases that are not inherited from family members have been known to increase the risk of developing liver cancer. One such known liver disease is hepatitis. Hepatitis is often contracted through sharing dirty needles such as those used in drug abuse. There are three known types of hepatitis, A, B and C. While types B and C are known to increase the chances of developing liver cancer there is little or no evidence to suggest that type A increases this risk.

Smoking

Smoking is thought to increase the chances of developing almost any cancer and liver cancer is no exception.

Excessive Drinking

This can lead to the destruction of numerous blood cells and thus may cause cirrhosis of the liver in which the destroyed cells are replaced by scar tissue and the chances of contracting liver cancer are increased.

Size

It is suggested that being extremely overweight may be a factor in developing liver cancer.

Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes may be at a higher risk of being affected by liver cancer.

Although this is not a complete list of liver cancer causes, these are some of the most common factors that contribute to the development of this dangerous disease.

It is always a good idea to maintain regular visits with your doctor as well as routine physical examinations in order to detect not only liver cancer but other serious illnesses at the earliest possible stage. This is especially true if you are at an increased risk or possess any of the signs associated with any of the known liver cancer causes or risk factors.

Liver cancer is a serious disease with a low survival rate at the best of times. Early detection and diagnosis increases the chances of survival with this and any other disease. If you think you may be showing any of the symptoms associated with liver cancer it is important to see a health care professional at the earliest possible moment. Although in most cases symptoms are not present until the advanced stages it is helpful to know what these symptoms are. Some warning signs may include unexplained weight loss, anemia, internal bleeding, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or the right shoulder blade, nausea and excessive fatigue.