What are the risk factors for liver cancer?

The liver can repeatedly repair itself after inflammation or injury. Over time, ongoing damage may produce scar tissue and altered cells. Liver cirrhosis is a major background condition, and it can follow viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, metabolic fatty liver disease or other disorders. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause chronic inflammation even before a person notices symptoms.

Other factors include diabetes, obesity, tobacco exposure, some inherited conditions such as haemochromatosis, and contact with certain toxins or contaminated food products. A risk factor is not a diagnosis. Some people develop liver cancer without a known factor, while many people with chronic liver disease do not develop it.

Ask about testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C if you have had a possible exposure or belong to a group advised to test. If you have chronic liver disease, attend the monitoring appointments offered by your liver team. Avoid alcohol if advised, review medicines and supplements with a clinician, and seek support for weight, diabetes or tobacco changes. Do not stop prescribed treatment without guidance.

Arrange medical review for yellowing of the skin or eyes, persistent pain or swelling in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight loss, ongoing loss of appetite, or a new lump. Seek urgent help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion, fainting or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling. These signs can reflect several liver problems and need timely assessment.

Do I need hepatitis B or C testing? What is causing my liver inflammation or scarring? Do I need regular imaging or blood tests? Could my medicines, alcohol use or metabolic health affect my liver? Which changes in jaundice, pain or swelling should prompt urgent contact?