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Understanding Liver Cancer
Can I Lower my Risk of Liver Cancer? Screening and Prevention
This is the fourth article in the Understanding Liver Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on June 20, 2026
Liver cancer is most treatable when it is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread. Because most people with early liver cancer have no symptoms, regular surveillance testing is the most important tool for finding it early. Prevention strategies focus on treating the underlying liver conditions that cause most liver cancers.
Surveillance Guidelines: Current guidelines from major liver disease societies recommend that people with cirrhosis and people with chronic hepatitis B who are at high risk have a liver ultrasound every six months. An ultrasound is a safe, painless imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the liver. Some doctors also check a blood protein called alpha-fetoprotein, known as AFP, at the same time, though the ultrasound is the most important part of surveillance. If an abnormal finding is seen on ultrasound, your doctor will recommend additional testing such as a CT scan, MRI, or biopsy. Talk to your doctor about whether regular surveillance is right for you.
Who should have regular liver cancer surveillance?
Not everyone needs regular liver cancer surveillance. It is recommended for people who are at significantly increased risk, including:
- People with cirrhosis from any cause, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-related liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- People with chronic hepatitis B infection who are at high risk. This includes Asian or African men over age 40, Asian women over age 50, people with a family history of liver cancer, and others based on hepatitis B virus levels and liver health.
- People with other chronic liver diseases associated with increased liver cancer risk, as determined by their doctor
Preventing liver cancer
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and highly effective. It is recommended for all infants, for children and adolescents who were not vaccinated as infants, and for adults who are at risk of hepatitis B infection. Preventing hepatitis B infection prevents the liver damage that can lead to liver cancer.
Get treated for hepatitis C
Highly effective antiviral medicines are now available for hepatitis C. Most people can be cured of hepatitis C in eight to twelve weeks of treatment. Curing hepatitis C greatly reduces the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. If you have hepatitis C and have not been treated, talk to your doctor about current treatment options. Many people cured of hepatitis C still benefit from ongoing liver cancer surveillance if they already have cirrhosis.
Limit or avoid alcohol
Heavy and long-term alcohol use is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Limiting alcohol intake significantly reduces the risk of liver damage. If you drink, talk to your doctor about how much is safe for you. If you have existing liver disease, your doctor may recommend avoiding alcohol completely.
Maintain a healthy weight and manage metabolic health
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are increasingly common causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity reduces the risk of fatty liver disease and its complications. Managing blood sugar levels if you have diabetes is also important.
Reduce aflatoxin exposure
Aflatoxin contamination of foods is primarily a concern in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Where it is a risk, proper food storage and avoiding contaminated crops can reduce exposure.
Know your hepatitis B and hepatitis C status
Many people do not know they have hepatitis B or hepatitis C because these infections often cause no symptoms for years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults between the ages of 18 and 79 be screened for hepatitis C at least once. If you have hepatitis B or C, getting treated and monitored regularly can significantly reduce your risk of liver cancer.
What's Next: The next section in this guide covers Liver Cancer Statistics. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Liver Cancer page and choose another page from the menu.
Can I Lower my Risk of Liver Cancer? Screening and Prevention
This is the fourth article in the Understanding Liver Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on June 20, 2026
Liver cancer is most treatable when it is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread. Because most people with early liver cancer have no symptoms, regular surveillance testing is the most important tool for finding it early. Prevention strategies focus on treating the underlying liver conditions that cause most liver cancers.
Surveillance Guidelines: Current guidelines from major liver disease societies recommend that people with cirrhosis and people with chronic hepatitis B who are at high risk have a liver ultrasound every six months. An ultrasound is a safe, painless imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the liver. Some doctors also check a blood protein called alpha-fetoprotein, known as AFP, at the same time, though the ultrasound is the most important part of surveillance. If an abnormal finding is seen on ultrasound, your doctor will recommend additional testing such as a CT scan, MRI, or biopsy. Talk to your doctor about whether regular surveillance is right for you.
Who should have regular liver cancer surveillance?
Not everyone needs regular liver cancer surveillance. It is recommended for people who are at significantly increased risk, including:
- People with cirrhosis from any cause, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-related liver disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- People with chronic hepatitis B infection who are at high risk. This includes Asian or African men over age 40, Asian women over age 50, people with a family history of liver cancer, and others based on hepatitis B virus levels and liver health.
- People with other chronic liver diseases associated with increased liver cancer risk, as determined by their doctor
Preventing liver cancer
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and highly effective. It is recommended for all infants, for children and adolescents who were not vaccinated as infants, and for adults who are at risk of hepatitis B infection. Preventing hepatitis B infection prevents the liver damage that can lead to liver cancer.
Get treated for hepatitis C
Highly effective antiviral medicines are now available for hepatitis C. Most people can be cured of hepatitis C in eight to twelve weeks of treatment. Curing hepatitis C greatly reduces the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. If you have hepatitis C and have not been treated, talk to your doctor about current treatment options. Many people cured of hepatitis C still benefit from ongoing liver cancer surveillance if they already have cirrhosis.
Limit or avoid alcohol
Heavy and long-term alcohol use is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Limiting alcohol intake significantly reduces the risk of liver damage. If you drink, talk to your doctor about how much is safe for you. If you have existing liver disease, your doctor may recommend avoiding alcohol completely.
Maintain a healthy weight and manage metabolic health
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are increasingly common causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity reduces the risk of fatty liver disease and its complications. Managing blood sugar levels if you have diabetes is also important.
Reduce aflatoxin exposure
Aflatoxin contamination of foods is primarily a concern in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Where it is a risk, proper food storage and avoiding contaminated crops can reduce exposure.
Know your hepatitis B and hepatitis C status
Many people do not know they have hepatitis B or hepatitis C because these infections often cause no symptoms for years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults between the ages of 18 and 79 be screened for hepatitis C at least once. If you have hepatitis B or C, getting treated and monitored regularly can significantly reduce your risk of liver cancer.
What's Next: The next section in this guide covers Liver Cancer Statistics. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Liver Cancer page and choose another page from the menu.
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