Liver Cancer: More Than Just a Drinker's Disease

Liver cancer is evolving, and it’s no longer just a disease linked to heavy drinking. This condition is increasingly affecting a wider spectrum of individuals, including homemakers, young professionals, and even those who don’t consume alcohol. The perception that liver cancer primarily affects drinkers is outdated, as new data reveals a significant shift in the profile of liver disease in India.

One of the leading contributors to this rise is Metabolically Dysregulated–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), commonly known as fatty liver disease. Recent research indicates that approximately 38.6% of Indian adults are affected by this condition, with urban populations facing even higher rates. The modern lifestyle, characterized by poor dietary choices, lack of physical activity, obesity, and diabetes, is largely to blame.

Interestingly, many individuals with fatty liver disease may appear thin or outwardly healthy. The danger lies in visceral fat, which is stored around internal organs, silently accumulating and causing liver damage over time. Diets rich in refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, fried items, and processed snacks significantly contribute to fat accumulation in the liver.

Fatty liver disease can escalate into Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe inflammatory condition that may lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. While chronic Hepatitis B and C infections have traditionally been the primary causes of liver cancer in India, they remain significant factors even today.

Hepatitis B can be acquired at birth from an infected mother and may remain dormant for decades, often without symptoms. Despite the introduction of national vaccination programs, millions of Indians are still silent carriers, discovering their infection only when advanced liver disease occurs. Another serious risk factor is aflatoxin, produced by molds on poorly stored grains, which can damage liver DNA.

As liver cancer rates rise, awareness and prevention are critical. Doctors recommend several practical steps: reducing the intake of sweets, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods, ensuring full vaccination for family members, and encouraging regular coffee consumption, which may reduce liver cancer risk by up to 42%.

Individuals with diabetes, obesity, or a family history of liver disease should undergo liver function tests or ultrasound screening, regardless of alcohol consumption. As liver cancer becomes increasingly shaped by dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors, it’s essential to remove the stigma associated with liver disease. By understanding the changing risk factors and promoting early detection, we can manage liver disease effectively and save lives.