Can liver cancer be prevented?

Prevention includes avoiding hepatitis infection where possible, treating an existing infection, limiting further liver injury and maintaining follow-up for chronic liver disease. Surveillance does not prevent cancer, but it can help detect a tumour before symptoms develop.

Long-term hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection can repeatedly injure liver cells. Cirrhosis, which is extensive liver scarring, is a particularly important setting in which liver cancer develops. Cirrhosis can result from viral hepatitis, alcohol-related injury or metabolic liver disease.

Risk differs from person to person and depends on the cause and condition of the liver. A clinician can assess this using medical history, blood tests and liver imaging, then decide whether ongoing surveillance is appropriate.

Ask whether hepatitis B vaccination is suitable for you and arrange testing if you may have been exposed to hepatitis B or C. If an infection is found, completing specialist assessment and taking antiviral medicine as prescribed can reduce continuing liver injury.

Avoid sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes, and make sure tattooing or piercing equipment is sterile. Use alcohol limits agreed with your clinician; complete avoidance may be advised when liver disease is present. Managing body weight, diabetes and fatty liver disease can also reduce ongoing strain on the liver.

If you have cirrhosis or another high-risk liver condition, attend the surveillance appointments recommended by your specialist even when you feel well.

Arrange medical assessment for yellowing of the skin or eyes, persistent pain or swelling in the upper abdomen, unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite, dark urine or worsening fatigue. These symptoms can have several causes, but they should not be ignored.

Get urgent help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion, sudden marked abdominal swelling or difficulty staying awake. These can signal a serious complication of liver disease and require immediate evaluation.

Ask whether you need hepatitis testing or vaccination, whether any medicines or supplements could affect your liver, and what alcohol guidance applies to you. If you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, clarify which surveillance tests you need and how the results will be communicated.