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Liver cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease, but a new study shows it doesn't have to be
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In fact, a study published in The Lancet this week says at least 60 percent of liver cancers could be preventable thanks to some simple lifestyle changes
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The number one cause of liver cancer is viral infections like hepatitis B and C
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There's a vaccine to help prevent hepatitis B, and while there is not one for hepatitis C, it is avoidable
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Still, the proportion of liver cancer cases caused by infections is expected to fall by 2050
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However, researchers say other causes are expected to rise over the same amount of time
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Alcohol and obesity-related liver cancers are on the rise, with both expected to see at least a 2% increase by 2050
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The study also said the number of liver cancer cases is expected to nearly double from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.5 million in 2050
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But that doesn't have to be the case. The study's authors laid out some recommendations they say could reduce the incidence of liver cancer cases by 2-5% each year by 2050
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That would amount to saving up to 15 million lives. They include getting more people vaccinated against hepatitis B, universal screening for adults, implementing a minimum price for all alcoholic beverages, and sugar taxes, both of which have been proven to curb consumption and putting liver cancer warning labels on both
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To stay up to date on all your latest health headlines, make sure you download the Straight Arrow News app today
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey
