Do you know which organ works the hardest in your body? It is the liver, often called the body’s “chemical factory” and “detoxification center.” The liver tirelessly performs countless life-sustaining activities, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and nutrient storage. Unfortunately, this vital organ has a frightening nickname: the ‘Silent Organ.’
Why is it called the Silent Organ? The liver often fails to register pain even when it is damaged. This is because the majority of the liver tissue lacks pain-sensing nerves. It is only when the damage becomes severe and the surrounding capsule (Glisson’s capsule) stretches that pain is finally felt. Sadly, this silence often leads to delayed diagnosis and difficult treatment for liver cancer and other liver diseases. Liver cancer is one of the cancers with a very high mortality rate, making early detection and prevention paramount.
Today, Cooldy will detail the early symptoms and actionable lifestyle habits we must know to prevent liver cancer and maintain liver health. Let’s start paying close attention to our body’s signals and take small steps to protect our liver starting now.
👀 Liver Cancer, The Silent Warning: 5 Early Symptoms You Must Not Ignore
In its early stages, liver cancer often presents no specific symptoms. However, as liver function declines, our body sends subtle but important changes. If the following five vague symptoms persist, it is crucial not to dismiss them as simple fatigue, but to seek professional medical advice.
1. Chronic Fatigue and Lethargy
The liver is a key organ for metabolizing nutrients and storing energy. When liver function is impaired, the body cannot properly receive energy, leading to extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away even after resting. Unlike typical tiredness, if you experience persistent lethargy that makes daily life difficult, you should suspect your liver health.
2. Discomfort or Pain in the Upper Right Abdomen
The liver is located beneath the right ribs. As liver cancer progresses and the liver swells or enlarges, it presses on the surrounding capsule (Glisson’s capsule), causing a dull ache, discomfort, or bloating in the upper right abdomen. Although the pain may not be severe, continuous discomfort requires attention.
3. Loss of Appetite, Indigestion, and Weight Loss
The liver plays a crucial role in producing bile, a digestive fluid. When liver function declines, digestive capacity is reduced, commonly leading to loss of appetite, bloating, or nausea. Furthermore, due to these digestive issues and the progression of the cancer, sudden, unexplained weight loss may occur.
4. Jaundice (Yellowing of the Whites of the Eyes or Skin)
Jaundice is a classic sign of liver dysfunction. If the liver is damaged, it cannot properly process a substance called Bilirubin, which then accumulates in the blood. This accumulation causes the whites of the eyes and the skin to turn yellow (jaundice). The appearance of jaundice is a strong signal that liver damage has progressed significantly.
5. Changes in Urine Color and Itchy Skin
As Bilirubin concentration rises, it is excreted through the urine, causing the urine color to turn dark brown or tea-colored. In addition, the accumulation of Bilirubin beneath the skin can lead to severe, generalized itching. If you experience persistent itching without a known skin condition, you need to check your liver health.
🚨 Key Risk Factors for Liver Cancer: Who Needs to Be Extra Cautious?
Liver cancer is far more common in individuals with chronic liver disease than in those with a healthy liver. It is essential to understand the primary risk factors for liver cancer and check if you fall into any of these categories.
- Infection with Hepatitis B and C Viruses: More than 70% of liver cancer patients in Korea are related to the Hepatitis B virus. Chronic Hepatitis is highly likely to progress to cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) and eventually liver cancer.
- Chronic Alcohol Consumption and Alcoholic Liver Disease: Excessive alcohol intake damages liver cells, causing alcoholic fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, ultimately increasing the risk of liver cancer.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This disease, where fat accumulates in the liver due to Westernized diets and obesity, is emerging as an important risk factor for liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis (Liver Hardening): This condition, where liver cells become hard and lose function, is the strongest risk factor for liver cancer. Patients with cirrhosis must undergo regular liver cancer screenings.
Terminology Note: Cirrhosis
A condition where chronic inflammation causes the liver to harden, resulting in a loss of normal function. It significantly increases the risk of liver cancer.
💪 Liver Health Guardians: 5 Essential Lifestyle Habits to Prevent Liver Cancer
The liver, a silent hero, can maintain its function for a long time if we give it a little attention and effort. Here are 5 practical lifestyle habits that help prevent liver cancer and maintain liver health.
1. Check for Hepatitis B/C Antibodies and Get Vaccinated
Chronic hepatitis is the main culprit behind liver cancer. Especially for Hepatitis B, a vaccine is available, so those without antibodies must get vaccinated. Although there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C yet, infection can be confirmed through blood tests. If you are a hepatitis carrier, consistent management under a doctor’s guidance and regular check-ups are paramount.
2. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol causes direct damage to liver cells. To prevent liver cancer, abstaining from alcohol is the most crucial step. If you have hepatitis or fatty liver, complete abstinence is essential. Remember that alcohol is a ‘toxin’ for a healthy liver, and you must practice moderation or abstinence.
3. Balanced Diet and Weight Management
A healthy diet is vital to prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Reduce high-calorie, high-fat meals, and consume a balanced diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meat.
- Recommended Foods for Liver Health:
- Garlic, Onion: Rich in sulfur compounds and selenium, which aid liver detoxification.
- Broccoli, Cabbage: Contains Indole-3-carbinol, which promotes the production of detoxifying enzymes.
- Turmeric (Curcumin): Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect against liver damage.
- Coffee (in moderation): Some studies report it lowers the risk of liver cancer. (However, excessive intake should be avoided.)
4. Consistent Aerobic and Strength Training
Exercise is the most effective way to control weight and improve Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Maintaining a healthy weight by combining aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, swimming, etc.) for at least 30 minutes, 3 or more times a week, with strength training greatly benefits liver health.
5. Be Cautious with Unverified Medications and Health Supplements
The liver is responsible for detoxifying all substances that enter our body. Excessive consumption of non-prescribed drugs or unverified health supplements can put a burden on the liver and even cause damage. You must avoid taking multiple types of medications or supplements simultaneously without consulting a doctor.
📝 Final Thoughts: Create Your Own Liver Health Routine
Liver cancer is a severe disease, but we can significantly prevent it and detect it early by improving our lifestyle habits and regularly checking our liver health. As Cooldy has shared today, never ignore the subtle signs your body is giving you. Especially if you are a carrier of Hepatitis B/C or have chronic drinking habits, regular liver ultrasound and blood tests every six months are the best way to detect liver cancer early and save your life.
How about starting a small investment today—a healthy diet, moderation of alcohol, and consistent exercise—for your liver, the silent hero of your body? We support your healthy liver journey!
References to Credible Websites
- National Cancer Information Center (Korea): https://www.cancer.go.kr
- Korean Association for the Study of the Liver (KASL): https://www.kasl.org