Doctor shares four warning signs of liver cancer usually only detected when it's too late'

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


January marks Love Your Liver month, prompting a doctor to raise awareness about liver cancer, a condition often detected at a late stage.

As one of the most critical organs, the liver's health should be a priority. Liver cancer ranks as the sixth most prevalent cancer globally and the 16th most common in the UK, with approximately 6,200 new cases diagnosed annually.

However, identifying liver cancer can be challenging. The NHS notes that it "may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot." Nonetheless, an expert has highlighted some early warning signs to be aware of.

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Using TikTok as a platform, Dr Zain Hasan stated: "Liver cancer is typically detected by accident, not by intention" he said. "[This] means that usually either your blood test come[s] up abnormally high or during a routine scan, they find some sort of mass and/or a cyst, and they want to go in and take it out. Usually the work-out process includes biopsies, and the treatment is multifactorial."

Dr Hasan explained that liver cancer treatment may involve the removal of the liver, either partially or entirely, or a newer method called sublation, which entails burning off cancerous cells.

So, how can you identify liver cancer?

To spread awareness, Dr Hasan shared four symptoms associated with the development of liver cancer. "Liver cancer is very serious, here is what to look out for," he captioned the clip.

Bloating

Firstly, he said you might notice bloating. Bloating can be a symptom of a number of illnesses, including other forms of cancer including ovarian cancer.

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However, it can also be a symptom of digestive issues. Constipation, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and coeliac disease can all be causes of bloating.

Nausea

Nausea was listed as the second symptom of cancer on Dr Hasan's list. However, a bout of nausea on its own does not necessarily indicate liver cancer.

"Feeling sick (nausea) is common and usually goes away on its own," the NHS states. You should only contact your GP if the nausea does not go away after a few days or keeps coming back.

Diarrhoea

Dr Hasan also listed diarrhoea as a symptom of liver cancer. Diarrhoea can be a symptom of a number of different health complaints, many of which are common and should go away on their own.

Contact your GP if you are concerned.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain was listed as the final symptom of liver cancer. According to the NHS, this pain may be localised in the top right side of the abdomen or in the right shoulder.

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The health service also states: "The symptoms are the same if the liver cancer starts in the liver (primary liver cancer) or spreads from another part of the body (secondary liver cancer)," the health service elaborated.

Other symptoms besides those mentioned by [doctor] include jaundice, loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to, fatigue, feeling generally unwell or having flu-like symptoms, and a lump in the right side of your tummy.

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