Liver Disease 

ancer is the most dreaded disease of the modern age, and liver cancer is one of the most notable types. Moreover, cancer often occurs at an age when people are still very active-commonly around 40 or 50, and sometimes when people are as young as 20 or 30. Furthermore, since these individuals are often the most productive members of their families and society, this disease inevitably takes a severe toll on the country. It is therefore essential that everyone maintain a correct and active attitude towards the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. 

Link between Cancer and the Environment 
      Statistical data reveals the important link between the environment and disease. Because of this, it is essential that we pay attention to the cleanliness of our drinking water, keeping water pollution to low levels, and protecting the greater environment. Taking these steps will greatly reduce mortality from liver cancer or other forms of cancer. From the point of view of epidemiology, this is the most important thing we can do. 
Statistics also reveal that developing nations or nations with relatively poor sanitation, such as Taiwan, China, and Africa, etc., suffer from a high incidence of liver cancer. This strongly suggests that this kind of disease is closely linked with sanitation, and that these nations should take active steps to understand the problem. 

      It should be emphasized that nations where the intake of aflatoxin is high also suffer from a relatively high incidence of liver cancer. Whenever foods are stored improperly, and warm, damp conditions encourage the growth of mold, hazardous toxins will be produced. Among these toxins, aflatoxin is the most potent carcinogen, and in fact it is the most powerful carcinogen yet known. This shows the importance of proper preservation of foods. Because aflatoxin most commonly contaminates processed foods made of rice, wheat, peanuts, or corn, the shelf lives of these types of foods should be observed carefully. Lest a careless oversight cause lasting regret, we must be absolutely certain that foods meant to be refrigerated are not kept at room temperature. 

Food Plays a Crucial Role
      Liver cancer gradually develops through the following steps: type B or C hepatitis or family history ¡÷ chronic hepatitis ¡÷ liver cirrhosis ¡÷ hepatic adenoma ¡÷ liver cancer. While it is possible for liver cancer to develop directly from hepatitis, the important thing to note is that anyone with the former conditions is in a high risk group to develop liver cancer. Before liver cancer appears, individuals with precursor conditions must perform appropriate observation and seek treatment when necessary. While both genetic and environmental factors have great influence on the development of liver cancer, time has no absolute connection. If you belong to a high risk group, you should remain carefully attuned to your body and life, including your living environment, your eating habits, and your nutritional intake. Remember that cancer is caused by many factors and not just one. 

      When receiving treatment for cancer, some people respond to ordinary drugs and some fail to respond. You may decide to seek other approaches to treatment, such as by taking health foods certified by the government as liver protecting. If you take this approach in conjunction with regular medical examination of liver function, and actively seek treatment at earliest possible date, you may find hope for your self and others. 

      Food, including the food itself and the way it is cooked, plays a very important role in cancer prevention. Fat contains the most calories of any part of food, and reducing fat intake is the first step in cancer prevention. Eating more high-fiber foods promotes healthy excretion, and prevents waste material from accumulating in the intestinal tract, where it may induce pathological changes in cells. As for cooking methods, take particular care to avoid deep-fried, sauteed, and smoked foods. Because these types of foods tend to trigger cancer of the stomach, intestines, and liver, it is important to change your cooking habits. It is also very important to reduce the level of carcinogens in your family's living environment. For instance, installing an effective range hood and eliminating secondhand tobacco smoke are necessary steps to prevent lung cancer.

Cancer has no Obvious Symptoms
      While early-stage liver cancer has no obvious symptoms, such symptoms as pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, swelling of the liver, fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, and jaundice appear during the later stages. Nevertheless, these symptoms are not absolute proof that a person has liver cancer; anyone suspecting liver cancer should seek in-depth diagnosis by a physician. The diagnosis of liver cancer must be extremely rigorous, and should include testing for fetal proteins, ultrasound examination of the abdomen, computer tomography, photography of blood vessels, and biopsy. Only if the results of all these tests indicate liver cancer can the diagnosis be considered watertight. Persons belonging to high risk groups should have an ultrasound examination once every four to six months, and persons with high liver indicators should have an examination once each month. When fetal proteins levels and abdominal ultrasound examination results are both normal, an annual examination is sufficient.

      With regard to the treatment of liver cancer, small tumors less than three centimeters in size are quite treatable, and the survival rate is relatively high. Early discovery and early treatment are essential to surviving cancer. Members of high risk groups must seek treatment as quickly as possible, and those who do not belong to high risk groups must avoid risk factors as much as possible. Risk factors include anything that may place a burden on the liver, such as excessive drinking, drug abuse, or consumption of tainted foods.