China accounts for about 55% of the world's new liver cancer cases every year4%, and liver cancer accounts for 53 percent of global deaths9%。Every day, more than 1,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer in our country, and more than 80% of them are hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the 5-year survival rate of liver cancer patients in China is only 12%. This is mainly because most liver cancer patients are already in the middle and advanced stages when they are diagnosed, and they cannot completely ** liver cancer through surgery**.
According to the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2019 Edition), 84% of liver cancer patients in China are related to hepatitis B virus infection.
As a detoxification organ, the liver will seriously threaten health once a disease occurs. There are usually three stages from liver disease to liver cancer, namely hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
After infection, the liver undergoes long-term chronic inflammation, leading to fibrosis of liver tissue. If not prompted**, this will gradually progress to cirrhosis, which is irreversible and highly likely to lead to liver cancer.
The liver is called a "dumb" organ because it lacks pain nerves and does not cause pain symptoms when it is mildly damaged, but only when the damage is severe.
Although liver abnormalities cannot be detected by pain, there are some precursors when liver cancer develops. When the following abnormalities occur in the body, it is important to get early liver cancer screening.
1.Gastrointestinal symptoms
Patients with liver cancer often experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, bloating after meals, belching, nausea, and indigestion. The most common include decreased appetite, bloating, and diarrhea, some of which may be misinterpreted as chronic enteritis.
2.Pain in the liver area
Hepatic pain usually occurs below the rib or xiphoid bone on the right side and is intermittent or persistent tingling, dull, or dull. Before the onset of pain, the patient may experience discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen.
3.Weight loss and fatigue
People with liver cancer often feel more likely to get tired and fatigue more often than people with other cancers. In addition, patients with liver cancer often experience symptoms of weight loss due to decreased digestion and absorption due to impaired liver function.
With the development of liver cancer, the weight loss of patients becomes more and more obvious, and in severe cases, even emaciation syndrome, that is, cachexia.
4.Edema of the lower extremities
Some patients with liver cancer may be accompanied by ascites symptoms, resulting in edema of the lower limbs, which may manifest as ankle edema in mild cases, and may appear as edema of the entire lower limbs in severe cases, and in extreme cases, even oozing from the legs**.
People at high risk of liver cancer include people with hepatitis B or C infection, long-term alcoholism, poor diet, diabetes, obesity, and individuals with a family history of liver cancer. In addition, the high incidence age of liver cancer is 30-59 years old, men are more likely to suffer from it than women, and the incidence of liver cancer in rural areas is higher than that in urban areas, and the southeast coastal areas of China are also high incidence areas of liver cancer.
For early detection and effective** liver cancer, regular check-ups or cancer screenings are key. Diagnosing liver cancer early can improve the chances of success.
For people at high risk of liver cancer, regular liver check-ups are crucial. It is recommended to have a comprehensive liver examination every 3-6 months, including liver function, abdominal ultrasound, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test and other items. If any abnormalities are found, further tests such as CT or MRI of the abdomen should be performed quickly to determine whether liver cancer is related.
In addition to regular check-ups, it is important for individuals with a family history of liver cancer, or those with risk factors such as long-term alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, diabetes and obesity. In the age group of high incidence, it is especially important to pay attention to any uncomfortable symptoms of the body and seek medical attention in time.
Tofu is a nutritious food rich in high-quality plant proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. These ingredients are not only beneficial for maintaining good health, but also have a positive effect on improving malnutrition and strengthening physical fitness. Therefore, for patients with liver disease, tofu is considered to be a health supplement with high nutritional value and low cost.
Proper intake of tofu helps in the recovery of patients, and the plant protein in it can help repair and maintain liver cells, improving their ability to resist disease.
However, for some people with specific liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, diet may require more special attention and adjustments. In these cases, the doctor will develop an individualized diet plan based on the patient's specific condition. This is designed to ensure that the nutritional needs of the patient are met while avoiding inappropriate foods to maintain liver function and promote**.
Therefore, for patients with liver disease, dietary decisions are best made under the guidance of a professional doctor to ensure the implementation of a healthy diet.
Vegetables:Vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which help flush out toxins from the body. Especially dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and mustard greens, as well as root vegetables such as carrots.
Nuts and seeds:Rich in healthy fats, proteins, and antioxidants such as almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and sunflower seeds.
Whole grains:Whole grains contain a variety of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, selenium, and polyphenolic compounds. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and reduce cellular oxidative stress, thereby protecting the liver from oxidative damage. Such as oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread, etc.
Milk and dairy products:Rich in protein and calcium, which contributes to the proper functioning of the liver.
It is important to note that for individuals with special health conditions, dietary choices should be made on the advice of a doctor or professional medical dietitian to ensure proper nutrient intake.