Liver Cancer Prevention

There is no guaranteed way to prevent liver cancer, but many cases are linked to conditions that damage the liver over time. Preventing or treating these conditions can significantly reduce your risk. The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Major risk factors include chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis, heavy alcohol use, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Understanding your liver health and addressing these risk factors can help protect your liver and lower your risk of developing liver cancer.

Get vaccinated against hepatitis B

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important cause of liver cancer worldwide. The hepatitis B vaccine provides effective protection against HBV infection and, by preventing chronic infection, can also reduce the risk of developing liver cancer later in life. Hepatitis B vaccination is routinely recommended for infants and children and for adults according to current vaccination guidelines. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis B, ask your healthcare provider whether vaccination or testing is appropriate for you.

Get tested and treated for hepatitis B and C

Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause chronic inflammation and liver damage. Over many years, this damage can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Many people with chronic hepatitis do not have noticeable symptoms, so someone can be infected without knowing it. Testing can identify an infection before serious liver damage develops.

Effective treatments are available for both infections. Hepatitis C can now be cured in most people with antiviral medication. Hepatitis B usually cannot be completely cured, but antiviral treatment can suppress the virus and reduce liver damage and the risk of complications.

Even after successful treatment, some people who have already developed cirrhosis or other significant liver disease may remain at increased risk of liver cancer and need ongoing surveillance.

Reduce your risk of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis B and C can spread through infected blood. Hepatitis B can also spread through sexual contact and from a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth. Ways to reduce your risk include:

• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B

• Not sharing needles or other injection equipment

• Not sharing razors, toothbrushes, or other items that could contain blood

• Making sure tattoos and piercings are performed with sterile equipment

• Using barrier protection when appropriate

• Following healthcare safety practices involving blood and needles

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Limit alcohol

Heavy alcohol use can damage the liver and eventually cause cirrhosis, which substantially increases the risk of liver cancer. Reducing alcohol intake can help prevent additional liver damage. People who already have liver disease may be advised to avoid alcohol completely. If you have hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or another chronic liver condition, ask your healthcare provider whether it is safe for you to drink alcohol.

Maintain a healthy weight

Obesity and metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes are associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. Excess fat can accumulate in the liver and cause metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In some people, this progresses to inflammation, liver scarring, cirrhosis, and eventually liver cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can help reduce liver fat and improve overall metabolic health.

If you already have fatty liver disease, weight management may help slow or even improve some forms of liver damage.

Manage diabetes and other metabolic conditions

Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and other metabolic conditions are closely linked with fatty liver disease and may contribute to liver cancer risk. Work with your healthcare team to manage conditions such as:

• Type 2 diabetes

• High cholesterol and triglycerides

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Fatty liver disease

Regular medical care can help identify liver problems before they become more serious.

Avoid tobacco

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer as well as many other cancers. If you smoke, quitting can reduce your cancer risk and provide benefits for your heart, lungs, blood vessels, and overall health. Your healthcare provider can help you find medications, counseling, or other resources to support quitting.

Avoid aflatoxin exposure

Aflatoxins are harmful substances produced by certain molds that can grow on foods such as corn, peanuts, tree nuts, and grains when they are stored in warm, humid conditions. Long-term exposure to high levels of aflatoxins increases the risk of liver cancer, particularly when combined with chronic hepatitis B infection. Aflatoxin exposure is much more common in some developing regions than in the United States, where food supplies are monitored and regulated.

Treat chronic liver disease

Many different conditions can eventually cause cirrhosis and increase liver cancer risk. These can include:

• Chronic hepatitis B or C

• Alcohol-related liver disease

• MASLD

• Hemochromatosis

• Certain autoimmune liver diseases

• Some inherited metabolic disorders

If you have chronic liver disease, following your treatment plan can help reduce ongoing liver damage. Your healthcare provider may also recommend regular liver cancer surveillance if your condition places you at increased risk.

Protecting your liver over time

Many liver cancers develop after years of chronic liver inflammation or damage. Protecting the liver before advanced scarring develops is therefore an important part of prevention.

Hepatitis B vaccination, testing and treatment for viral hepatitis, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, and properly managing chronic liver disease can all help reduce your risk.

If you have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or another chronic liver condition, ask your healthcare provider about your individual liver cancer risk and whether you need ongoing surveillance.