Rising liver cancer cases among young adults

Dr. Mehta warns that liver cancer isn’t just a concern for older adults or heavy drinkers anymore, “Drinkers?! Did you know liver cancer is on the rise among young people, even those who don’t drink alcohol?”

“According to WHOliver cancer cases have doubled since 1990. While many are linked to viral hepatitis, nearly 16% come from unknown causes, often fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in non-alcoholics,” he says.

He also lists some alarming numbers:

• In India, NAFLD affects 16–32% of adults, that is up to 120 million people.
• Globally, NAFLD prevalence in people aged 15–39 jumped from 25% in 1990 to 38% in 2019.
• A Korean study on 5 million young adults showed NAFLD raised liver cancer risk by 13%, even after adjusting for obesity and alcohol.

How to protect your liver

So, what’s causing this surge? Dr. Mehta points to lifestyle and metabolic factors:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Overeating and stress
• Rising rates of diabetes and other metabolic disorders

But there’s good news, you can take steps to protect your liver. Dr. Mehta advises:

• Get routine liver tests if you have fatty liver
• Stay active, eat balanced meals, manage weight and blood sugar
• Watch for early warning signs like fatigue, discomfort, or mild jaundice

“Remember: liver cancer can affect non-drinkers too. Early screening can save lives,” Dr. Mehta emphasises.

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This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.