Why is Liver Cancer So Prevalent? Learning from Ms. Li's Tragedy the Importance of Liver Health

Why is Liver Cancer So Prevalent? Learning from Ms. Li's Tragedy the Importance of Liver HealthMs

Why is Liver Cancer So Prevalent? Learning from Ms. Li's Tragedy the Importance of Liver Health

Ms. Li, 38 years old, with elderly parents and young children, worked tirelessly every day. For her family, she spun like a top, neglecting her own health. Work pressure, family chores, and her husband's "hands-off" approach left her in a state of chronic anxiety and anger. Coupled with irregular eating habits, often relying on instant noodles and leftovers, she sought solace in alcohol to relieve stress. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with "terminal liver cancer," a devastating blow that left her in disbelief.

Ms. Li's tragedy is not an isolated case. In China, liver cancer has become a highly prevalent disease, with more than half of the newly diagnosed and deceased patients worldwide. The five-year survival rate for late-stage liver cancer is only around 12%. Worryingly, more and more young people are joining the high-risk group for liver cancer, even showing a trend of "younger onset."

So, what factors contribute to the high incidence of liver cancer? Besides the stress, emotional problems, and unhealthy dietary habits Ms. Li faced, what other factors are involved?

1. Anger Damages the Liver: Emotional Imbalance is a "Henchman" of Liver Cancer

In traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is closely related to emotions. It is said that "the liver governs the smooth flow of qi," meaning that the liver plays a role in regulating and releasing emotions. Prolonged emotional imbalance can lead to stagnation of liver qi, affecting the normal function of the liver and even triggering diseases.

Modern medicine has also confirmed the negative effects of negative emotions on the liver:

• Decreased Immunity: Negative emotions suppress the immune system, making the body more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, increasing the burden on the liver.

• Impaired Blood Flow: Emotions like anger and anxiety accelerate heart rate, causing vasoconstriction and affecting blood circulation, thereby impacting liver blood supply.

• Weakened Liver Compensatory Ability: Long-term emotional distress can reduce the liver's detoxification function, weaken its compensatory ability, making it more prone to damage and even disease.

Ms. Li's excessive pressure and prolonged anxiety and anger undoubtedly contributed to her liver cancer. However, beyond emotional issues, other crucial factors contributed to its development.

2. Common "Culprits" of Liver Cancer: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Alcohol, Fatty Liver, etc.

Aside from emotional factors, the following are closely linked to the occurrence of liver cancer:

• Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis B and C are among the most common causes of liver cancer, particularly chronic hepatitis B, which has a higher risk of developing into liver cancer.

• Alcoholic Liver Disease: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, which can progress to alcoholic cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer.

• Fatty Liver: Fatty liver is a significant reason for the increasing incidence of liver cancer in recent years. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in particular, has an increasing prevalence and is positively correlated with the risk of liver cancer.

• Autoimmune Liver Disease: Certain autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, can also increase the risk of liver cancer.

• Moldy Food: Moldy food contains aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen, which can increase the risk of liver cancer if consumed long-term.

Besides the above, unhealthy dietary habits, environmental pollution, and genetic factors may also be associated with the development of liver cancer.

3. These Foods are Quietly Harming Your Liver

The liver is a vital detoxification organ in the human body, responsible for metabolism, transformation, synthesis, and detoxification. However, some unhealthy foods can damage the liver, even inducing liver disease and liver cancer. The following four common foods warrant your attention:

1. Moldy Dried Fruits, Tea Leaves, Grains, etc.: When these foods become moldy, they produce aflatoxin, a carcinogen that increases the risk of liver cancer.

2. Pickled Vegetables, Smoked and Grilled Foods: Pickled vegetables contain high amounts of sodium chloride, sodium nitrite, etc., while smoked and grilled foods may contain benzopyrene, a carcinogen. These substances can burden the liver and even induce liver cancer.

3. Toxic Soaked Wood Ear Mushrooms: When wood ear mushrooms are soaked for too long, they can easily breed Pseudomonas cocovenenans, which produces the toxin mycotoxin that can seriously damage the liver and induce liver disease.

4. High-Fructose Processed Foods: Excessive intake of high-fructose processed foods burdens the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver and subsequently the risk of liver cancer.

Besides avoiding these foods, maintain a balanced diet, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and limit greasy and spicy food intake.

4. Nurturing Liver Health: Start with Six Daily Practices

Ms. Li's tragedy serves as a wake-up call; it's essential to protect our liver. To prevent liver disease, we can start with these six practices:

1. Moderate Diet: Maintain a balanced diet, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, limit high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods, and be particularly cautious about avoiding moldy food.

2. Ensure Adequate Sleep: Sufficient sleep promotes liver repair and regeneration. Avoid staying up late, ensuring 6-8 hours of sleep every night.

3. Cultivate a Positive Mindset: A good mood and mindset can promote blood circulation, ensuring smooth qi and blood flow, which is more conducive to liver metabolism.

4. Engage in Moderate Exercise: Appropriate exercise can promote blood circulation and strengthen liver function. Engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise 5 times a week, 30 minutes each time, can boost immunity and reduce the risk of liver cancer.

5. Avoid Taking Medications Unnecessarily, Quit Drinking Early: Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver disease, while indiscriminate drug use can also damage the liver. Therefore, avoid excessive drinking and taking medications without a doctor's prescription.

6. Get Regular Liver Function Tests: Especially those aged over 40, with a history of liver disease, long-term medication use, or previous viral hepatitis infection, should get regular liver function tests for early detection and treatment.

5. Early Liver Cancer Screening, Improving Survival Rates

Early symptoms of liver cancer are not obvious, often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment challenging and prognosis poor. Therefore, early screening is crucial for improving survival rates for liver cancer patients.

The following groups need to undergo regular liver cancer screenings:

• Patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

• Patients with fatty liver disease

• Patients with alcoholic liver disease

• Individuals with a family history of liver cancer

• Patients with a history of liver disease

• People taking long-term medications

• Individuals over 40 years old

Liver cancer screening methods primarily include:

• Regular liver function tests

• Regular imaging examinations, such as ultrasound, CT, etc.

• Regular alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests

6. Summary

Ms. Li's tragedy reminds us once again that health is the greatest wealth in life. We need to pay attention to our health, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, and get regular checkups to better prevent disease and enjoy a fulfilling life.

In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of preventing liver cancer, starting with prevention, adopting healthy lifestyles, and taking action now!