Desk Report,
The number of liver cancer cases worldwide is expected to double in 25 years
By 2050, that is, in the next 25 years, the number of people suffering from liver cancer around the world may almost double. There is a risk of such a situation if preventable problems such as obesity, alcoholism and hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) are not properly controlled.
The number of liver cancer cases worldwide is expected to double in 25 years
Such fears have been expressed in a research report published in the medical journal Lancet on Tuesday. The study was conducted by the world-class cancer information platform ‘Global Cancer Observatory (GCO).’ The report says that 870,000 people are currently suffering from liver cancer every year in the world. If the current trend continues, the number of people affected will increase to 1.520 million by 2050.
Liver cancer is the third most common type of cancer that causes the highest number of deaths. The research report predicts that 1.37 million people will die from liver cancer every year by 2050.
However, an international team of experts says that three out of five liver cancers are preventable.
According to the researchers, the main risk factors for liver cancer are alcoholism, viral hepatitis and obesity, which causes fat to build up in the liver. The last of these is called MASLD. It was previously known as ‘non-alcoholic fatty liver disease’.
The research report was released on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. The researchers believe that hepatitis B and C viruses will remain the main causes of liver cancer in 2050.
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated soon after birth. However, vaccination rates are very low in poor countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The report also says that if vaccination rates do not increase, 17 million people could die from hepatitis B virus infection between 2015 and 2030.
Researchers predict that by 2050, 21 percent of liver cancer cases will be caused by alcohol. This is 2 percent more than in 2022. During the same period, the rate of people suffering from liver cancer, which is caused by fat accumulation in the liver due to obesity, will increase to 11 percent. That is, this rate will increase by 2 percent compared to the previous period.
Researchers have said that it is important to take global action to prevent liver cancer.
Experts say that public awareness needs to be increased to prevent liver cancer. They believe that obese people or patients with diabetes, especially in the United States, Europe and Asia, should be warned about the harmful effects of fat accumulation in the liver.
