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Liver cancer: who is at risk?

Certain risk factors increase one’s risk of developing liver cancer:

- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection: these viruses are passed from person to person through blood or sexual contact. An infected mother can also transfer the virus to her baby. A person with chronic infection has a 100-fold increased risk of liver cancer compared with an uninfected person.

- Cirrhosis: this is a disease in which liver cells are damaged and replaced by scar tissue. There are many causes, including infections, alcohol abuse, certain drugs and toxins. About 20 percent of people with cirrhosis will develop liver cancer.

- Aflatoxin: this is a poison produced by the Aspergillus mould on improperly stored foods like grain and nuts.

- Male gender: liver cancer is three times more common in men.

Although not shown to have a direct carcinogenic effect on liver cells, lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse are thought to promote the cancer-forming process in conjunction with the other risk factors.

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