Category Archives: Liver cancer

Coffee Consumption Reduces Risk of Liver Cancer

Posted on October 23, 2013 | 2 Comments
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“Our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver,” said Carlo La Vecchia, MD. (Credit: © volff / Fotolia)

Coffee consumption reduces risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, by about 40 percent, according to an up-to-date meta-analysis published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Further, some data indicate that three cups of coffee per day reduce liver cancer risk by more than 50 percent.

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Posted in Science Daily, October 22, 2013

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Posted in Liver cancer, Liver Cancer Awareness, liver cancer prevention, Liver Health, Research

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Inexpensive Test Could Reveal Liver Cancer Risk

Posted on September 18, 2013 | Leave a comment
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Could an inexpensive test, used in conjunction with current, traditional HCC testing help reveal one’s liver cancer risk? Research for the V-chip is described in an article published in this week’s  Health Canal. 

Scientists from the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will receive about $2.1 million from the National Cancer Institute to learn whether a small, low-cost device can help assess a person’s risk of developing a common form of liver cancer.

The four-year project is based on technology previously developed by Houston Methodist nanomedicine faculty member Lidong Qin, Ph.D., who is the new project’s principal investigator. Qin’s “V-Chip,” or volumetric bar-chart chip, will be used to detect biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common cause of liver cancer. The device only requires a drop of blood from a finger prick.


The V-Chip allows the testing of up to 50 different molecules in a blood or urine sample.

“Most of the burden of HCC is borne by people who have low income, with the highest incidence rates reported in regions of the world where infection with hepatitis B virus is endemic,” Qin said. “Developing an accurate and low-cost technology that assesses the risk of cancer could make a big difference to people who ordinarily can’t afford expensive tests.”

M.D. Anderson Department of Epidemiology Chair Xifeng Wu is the project’s co-principal investigator.

Qin and Wu will see whether the V-Chip accurately detects HCC biomarkers. The researchers will also determine which combination of these biomarkers proves most predictive of disease.

Among the biomarkers the researchers will look at are antigens of hepatitis viruses B and C, aflatoxin (a fungal toxin that at high doses is associated with cancer risk), and metabolic indicators of alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, and iron overdose.

Tests of the V-chip will not replace traditional testing methods, but rather be carried out in tandem so that patients’ care cannot be adversely affected.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is believed to be the third-highest cause of cancer death worldwide and the ninth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. It is most commonly caused by a past infection of hepatitis viruses B or C (HBV or HCV) and cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol abuse or other toxic damage.

Please visit Health News, Health Canal for more information 

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Posted in Liver cancer, Liver Cancer Awareness, liver cancer prevention, Living with Hep B, Research

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Learning to Care: Being There for Someone with Cancer

Posted on July 1, 2013 | 1 Comment
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This weeks’ blog features one family’s experience in dealing with a rare type of cancer with the goal of bringing hope and inspiring those who may be dealing with the challenge of living with liver cancer.

In November 2005, my wife Heather and I learned something that changed our lives forever. It was the day that she was diagnosed with cancer. She had malignant pleural mesothelioma. I knew that our lives were about to change considerably, and right away I had to step into the role of caregiver for my wife. Our daughter Lily had just come in to the world three months prior, and our excitement over being new parents quickly dissolved into fear of what the future could bring. I didn’t know why we were dealt such a hand, but I knew that we had to make it through.

I started my life as a caregiver the moment that I heard Heather had cancer. We went to the doctor together that day. Sitting there, feeling trapped inside my emotions, we were faced with some difficult choices. The doctor gave us a few options for treatment nearby, like the regional hospital or university hospital, but neither of these had a program for mesothelioma. We were told about a specialist in Boston named Dr. David Sugarbaker, who was renowned for his work with mesothelioma patients. It didn’t take me any time to say, “Get us to Boston!” I knew that if my wife had any chance of surviving, she would need the best care she could possibly get.

We spent some time after that trying to get our life together. We had to make some tough decisions about child care, paying bills and work. Heather could no longer work, and I had to scale back to part time in order to be there to care for her and Lily. The worst times were being stuck at my job, thinking of my wife and the baby, and knowing that I wasn’t where I needed to be and yet I was where I had to be. I kept having these terrifying moments of doubt, where I would think of being alone and widowed with a baby to raise on my own. It was all I could do to keep it together most days.

Help came when we needed it the most through my wife’s family. Heather’s parents were extremely giving during our time of need. They provided a place for her to live after her surgery in Boston but they also provided for Lily’s child care. They even helped with medical bills. Friends were also there for us during our rough time. I will never forget the help from these people and how generous they were. It truly saved my family from desperate hardship. I will always remember that kindness.

My strongest advice to anyone in this situation is to accept every offer of help that comes your way. I learned the hard way that there is no room for pride in a battle with cancer.  Even the smallest offer of help can be a huge weight off your shoulders, and at the very least will remind you that you are not alone in the fight.

Furthermore, as a caregiver you must remember to take care of yourself as well.  Allow yourself to have bad days, this is inevitable and even necessary, but always remember to never, ever give up hope for a better tomorrow.

Heather would undergo intense treatment for mesothelioma over the following months, and against all odds she would eventually beat her cancer.  It has been over seven years since her diagnosis, and she remains happy and healthy to this day. We hope that by sharing our story, we can help inspire others currently battling through cancer today.

Cameron Von St. James

 

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Posted in Liver cancer, Liver Cancer Awareness

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What You Need to Know About Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Cancer

Posted on April 15, 2013 | 2 Comments
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Join the Hepatitis B Foundation, Monday, April 22 at 1 pm EST, 10 am PST, for the final webinar of the 3-Part Liver Cancer Webinar Series, “Liver Cancer and Fatty Liver Disease: What You Need to Know”, presented by liver disease expert, Kenneth Rothstein, MD.

There is an upsurge in fatty liver disease in the U.S. and around the world as a result of poor diet, consumption of alcohol, and sedentary lifestyle. Fatty Liver Disease occurs when fat makes up more than 5% -10% of the weight of your liver, which can be a result of either alcoholic, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This accumulation of fat can cause inflammation and permanent scarring of the liver, which may lead to serious complications including liver failure, and liver cancer. Learn about fatty liver, which is largely preventable.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Learn how to prevent liver cancer, along with screening, surveillance and treatments for liver cancer.

Dr. Rothstein is the Associate professor in the Department of Medicine, and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He also serves as medical director of Abdominal Transplantation at Hahnemann University Hospital. 
Dr. Rothstein is a leading expert in the field of hepatology, with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in the treatment of liver disease and liver transplantation, particularly treating the complications of cirrhosis, including liver cancer. He is also a recognized expert on new treatments for hepatitis B and C.

“Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Cancer: What You Need to Know” webinar details:

Presented by: Dr. Kenneth Rothstein
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 1 pm EST, 10 am PST
Click here to register

Did you miss the previous webinars of the series? Feel free to download them and listen at your leisure:

Download the March 6th Webinar and listen to Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer: What You Need to Know, by Dr. Robert Gish.
 Download Now

Download the March Webinar and watch the video, Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer: What you Need to Know, by Dr. LaBrecque.
 Download video

For additional accurate, easy-to-understand information on liver cancer, visit the Hepatitis B Foundation’s dedicated website, www.LiverCancerConnect.org.

 

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Posted in Liver cancer, Liver Cancer Awareness, liver cancer prevention, Liver Health, Viral Hepatitis

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What You Need to Know About Hepatitis C and Liver Cancer

Posted on March 26, 2013 | 3 Comments
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The Hepatitis B Foundation’s Liver Cancer Webinar Series continues Wednesday, April 3rd.  HBF’s first webinar was overwhelmingly successful, so we hope you’ll join us next week for “Liver Cancer and Hepatitis C: What You Need to Know”, presented by leading hepatitis C expert, Douglas LaBrecque, MD.

Dr. LaBrecque is the Professor of Medicine and Director of the Liver Service at the University of Iowa. He also served as Chief of GI and Hepatology at the Iowa City VA Hospital for 19 years. He has conducted extensive research on the development and treatment of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and other liver diseases, including liver transplantation with more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, three books, 22 book chapters and over 150 abstracts.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the seventh most common cancer worldwide. But the major causes of liver cancer— such as chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and cirrhosis— are largely preventable. And treatments for liver cancer are available.

Join The Hepatitis B Foundation’s webinar series to learn about the risk factors for liver cancer and the importance of liver cancer screening and surveillance. The expert presenters will describe currently available treatment options and clinical trials. These webinars are provided free of charge to help educate and raise liver cancer awareness.

Liver Cancer and Hepatitis C: What You Need to Know webinar details:

Presented by: Dr. Douglas LaBrecque
Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Time: 3 pmEST; 12 pmPST
Click here to register

Download the March 6th Webinar and listen to Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer: What You Need to Know, by Dr. Robert Gish. 

For additional accurate, easy-to-understand information on liver cancer, visit the Hepatitis B Foundation’s dedicated website, www.LiverCancerConnect.org.

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Posted in Liver cancer, Liver Cancer Awareness, Viral Hepatitis

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