What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the cells of the liver. These tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancers). Benign liver tumors are not harmful to patients and do not spread to other parts of the body. However, they may cause symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, fever, jaundice, itching, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath. Malignant liver cancers are aggressive and sometimes fatal. In these cases, the tumor spreads to other organs and/or lymph nodes. Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world. According to the Fortis Hospital, around 841,000 people were diagnosed with liver cancer in 2012 alone. There are many reasons why people get liver cancer, including alcohol abuse, hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. If you have any of these risk factors, then you should seek medical advice right away. You can’t cure liver cancer, but you can control its symptoms. Here are some ways to treat liver cancer:
Habits to Overcome Liver Cancer
– Have a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet means eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients help protect your body from free radicals and toxins. Antioxidants can remove harmful chemicals from your body before they damage cells. Fiber helps keep your digestive system clean and regular. A healthy diet also includes lean protein. Lean protein keeps you feeling fuller longer.
– Exercise Regularly
Exercise is great for your physical and mental health. It boosts your immune system and helps you lose weight if you need to. However, exercise shouldn’t cause pain or discomfort. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is best for you. Do not overdo it though. Exercising less than three times per week may be more effective.
– Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential to good health. Lack of sleep can make you tired, cranky, and irritable. When you don’t get enough sleep, you also tend to eat more food. Eating more food makes you gain weight, which increases your chances of getting diabetes. Diabetes can lead to heart problems, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputation, gangrene, and death. So, try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
– Reduce Stress
Stress affects our bodies physically and mentally. It causes us to feel anxious, nervous, angry, sad, and frustrated. Stress also triggers the release of hormones that raise blood pressure and heart rate. High levels of cortisol can increase the risk of developing diabetes. Try to reduce stress by taking time out for yourself. Take walks, meditate, spend quality time with friends and family, and go to bed early every night.
– Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of contracting these conditions. It also lowers your chance of getting lung infections. In addition, quitting smoking reduces the amount of nicotine in your bloodstream. Nicotine is highly addictive. It can also harm your teeth and gums.
– Seek Medical Advice
If you suspect that you have liver cancer, talk to your doctor immediately. He or she can conduct tests to determine whether you have the condition. Your doctor may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. You may also be referred to a specialist who specializes in treating liver cancer.