In recent years, the incidence of liver cancer among young people has been on the rise. This is largely due to unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, environmental pollution, lack of exercise, and inadequate sleep habits. These factors have contributed to an increase in cases of fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and ultimately liver cancer.
Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi highlighted Vietnam’s high incidence of liver cancer with about 24,500 new cases in 2022. He emphasized that prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to serious health consequences such as cirrhosis complicated by esophageal bleeding in patients who have consumed alcohol excessively over time. Additionally, obesity and genetic factors can also contribute to the development of liver cancer.
Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes for individuals at risk of developing liver cancer. However, diagnosing early-stage liver cancer can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, yellow urine, and liver discomfort. If left untreated, liver cancer can progress to more advanced stages with severe symptoms such as itching, jaundice, weight loss pain in the upper abdomen enlarged liver ascites.
To reduce the risk of developing liver diseases including liver cancer regular screening is recommended for individuals at high risk such as those with a family history of the disease viral infections hepatitis cirrhosis obesity or diabetes. Early detection allows for prompt intervention such as microwave ablation radiofrequency ablation or surgical removal of tumors which can improve chances for a successful outcome adopting healthy eating habits avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption maintaining a healthy weight exercising regularly receiving hepatitis vaccinations can help reduce this risk.
In conclusion unhealthy lifestyle choices have contributed significantly to the rising rate of liver cancer among young people. Early detection through regular screening is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes while adopting healthy habits and reducing risk factors can help prevent this disease from developing altogether
