Frequently Held Beliefs About Liver Cancer

Frequently Held Beliefs About Liver Cancer : Because symptoms are rarely evident in the early stages of liver cancer, it is sometimes referred to as a “silent” disease. Misconceptions abound when it comes to this sneaky disease.

Liver cancer is frequently referred to as a “silent” disease. Most people do not display any indications or symptoms while it is in its early stages. Symptoms do not appear until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.

Cancer of the liver begins in the cells of the liver. The liver can develop a variety of cancers. According to Dr. Gaurav Gupta, a liver cancer treatment specialist in Mumbai, the most prevalent type is hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in the primary type of liver cell (hepatocyte).

Myths abound when it comes to liver cancer. Misconceptions are frequently fed by inaccurate information, which only adds to the tension and panic. Dr. Gaurav Gupta, MBBS, MS, ASTS Multi-Organ Transplant Fellowship Upenn, UPMC (USA), Fortis Hospital Mulund Head of Department – Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery

Dr. Gaurav Gupta is a well-known surgeon in Mumbai who specializes in liver transplantation. He has a total of 15 years of surgical expertise, with more than ten of those years spent in the field of liver transplantation. He is a member of the American Society for Transplantation of Organs and Tissues (ASTS).

Dr. Gupta has done more than 500 liver transplant surgeries in India as the Chief Surgeon in the last five years. His specialties are living donor liver transplant, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, pediatric liver transplant, and pancreas transplant.

He completed the first-ever combination Liver Kidney Living Donor Transplant by a Mumbai-based team in Western India, demonstrating his expertise in Liver Donor Transplant. In Maharashtra, he holds the distinction of building three liver transplant units from the ground up.

He talked about some prevalent misunderstandings about liver cancer and how to debunk them.

Myth: Liver issues are excruciatingly unpleasant.

Dr. Gaurav Gupta adds, “Part of the problem with liver illness and liver cancer is that it tends to be silent until it’s progressed.” “Because there are no pain nerves on the inside of the liver, it is completely silent. As a result, humans can have masses without experiencing pain. The malignancy is huge and progresses by the time patients experience symptoms.” Cirrhosis and hepatitis A, B, and C might be identified 20 to 30 years later. Your doctor can assist you in determining the cause of the problem.

Myth: Alcohol is the cause of liver cancer.

Dr. Gaurav Gupta explains, “A variety of factors can affect the liver.” “Alcohol is one of many factors that contribute to liver damage.” Hepatitis C and a fatty liver, he claims, are the primary causes of liver disease. Hepatitis C is a virus that causes inflammation in the liver and can lead to significant liver damage. The accumulation of fat in the liver is known as a fatty liver.

Myth: Spirits are evil for your liver, but wine and beer aren’t.

Truth: What matters is how much alcohol you consume, not the type of drink you consume. Dr. Gupta states, “Booze is alcohol.” “It’s not what you eat; it’s how much you eat.” Drinking a glass of water to make up for an alcoholic beverage and avoid hangovers isn’t beneficial for your liver. Furthermore, drinking high-quality alcoholic beverages does not make the alcohol less harmful. He recommends that you drink in moderation, which differs from person to person. “Some people consume a lot of alcohol and don’t get liver cancer,” said a Mumbai specialists specializing in liver cancer treatment. “There are a lot of elements that play into it.”

Myth: Liver health is unrelated to exercise and food.

Truth: Your total health, including liver health, is influenced by your diet and physical activity. High-calorie, low-exercise diets can increase your risk of liver disease. This is because a fatty liver is one of the most common causes of liver disease. Obesity is connected to a fatty liver, which can be addressed by diet and exercise. Dr. Gaurav Gupta says, “Diet and exercise can help with that and reduce your risk of having liver cancer.” Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise quit smoking, and limit your alcohol intake to maintain a healthy diet.

Myth: Hepatitis C does not cause liver cancer, contrary to popular belief.

Truth: Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver cancer, albeit not all virus cases result in cancer. However, the longer you have hepatitis C, the higher your risk of cancer. He recommends that baby boomers have their hepatitis C tested. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely than other individuals to develop hepatitis C. If a person has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus, a simple blood test called a hepatitis C antibody test can indicate. According to Dr. Gaurav Gupta, “it can take decades to develop from when they were exposed to it.” Oral medicine can be used to treat hepatitis C, he claims.