QCS at the forefront of liver cancer awareness

The Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched "Protect Yourself", a liver cancer awareness campaign.

Liver cancer is the seventh most common cancer in men in Qatar, according to the 2015 National Cancer Registry of Qatar published by the Ministry of Public Health.
Liver cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the liver (primary liver cancer) or abnormal cells that spread to the liver from other organs (metastatic liver cancer).
Nour Mekkia, a health educator at QCS, said, "Many risk factors can increase the risk of liver cancer. It is more common in men than in women. It is also more common in the elderly because most people diagnosed with liver cancer are 55 years old or older. Alcohol and smoking are two main causes of the disease. Viral hepatitis B and C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. People with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight or obese, which can lead to liver health problems. Occupational exposure to chemicals is another major cause of the disease. "
"Weight loss for unknown reasons, loss of appetite, feeling full after a small meal, nausea or vomiting, general weakness and fatigue, pain in the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade, itching, white and chalky stools, yellowing of the skin. and eyes and enlarged liver and spleen are the signs and symptoms of the disease, "she explained.
She emphasized the importance of early detection of the disease. "It is often difficult to detect liver cancer at an early stage because the signs and symptoms often do not appear at an early stage. It is therefore important to consult a doctor regularly, "she noted.
"Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol; maintain a healthy body weight be physically active (exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week) prevent infection with hepatitis B and C; Get regular checkups and avoid breathing or touching toxic chemicals. These can help prevent liver cancer to a large extent, "Mekkia added.