Bengaluru liver transplant surgeon shares 6 way of life decisions to forestall liver most cancers: ‘Maintain healthy body weight’

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While bettering food regimen, early intervention, and consulting an knowledgeable are at all times useful, step one is bettering your way of life decisions as a result of liver most cancers progresses silently, making it a very harmful illness. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Basant Mahadevappa, marketing consultant liver transplant surgeon and Hepato-Biliary, HCG Cancer Centre, KR Road, Bengaluru, highlighted 6 wholesome life decisions that may cut back liver most cancers danger.

According to Dr Basant, as a result of liver most cancers progresses silently, its signs typically seem within the later, extra superior phases of the illness. “Raising awareness and understanding its risk factors is the first step toward prevention, empowering individuals and families to make informed choices that support long-term liver health,” he emphasised.

Why deal with way of life prevention?

“Liver cancer (primarily hepatocellular carcinoma) often develops over years, typically when the liver is under chronic stress. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is often advanced. In India, chronic hepatitis B remains a leading risk, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising rapidly. Because many causes are modifiable, prevention through lifestyle holds powerful promise: reducing viral infections, curbing alcohol damage, managing weight and metabolic health, limiting toxin exposure, and early medical surveillance,” Dr Basant highlighted.

6 key wholesome way of life decisions to forestall liver most cancers

Here are the wholesome way of life measures Dr Basant prompt:

1. Vaccination and prevention of hepatitis

“A single shot can be a shield. The hepatitis B vaccine, available free through the Universal Immunisation Programme, blocks a virus that fuels most liver cancer cases in India. Infants and unvaccinated adults alike need this guard. Screening for hepatitis B and C, as advised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, detects infections early, allowing treatments to halt the progression of damage,” Dr Basant famous.

Safe practices, like utilizing sterilised needles and guarded intimacy, additional lock out these viruses. For dad and mom, this implies securing household well being with a go to to the native clinic —a small step with a lifelong impression, he prompt.

2. Limit or keep away from alcohol consumption

According to the surgeon, “Alcohol is a slow poison for the liver, etching scars that invite cancer. The Operational Guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease warn that even occasional binges strain this organ. Instead of toasting at gatherings, sip lemon juice or coconut water, which is refreshing and gentle on the liver.”

3. Maintain a wholesome physique weight

Extra weight burdens the liver with fats, a stepping stone to most cancers. “A diet rich in fibre, think millets, oats, and vibrant veggies like spinach and carrots, keeps fat at bay. Swap sugary colas and fried pakoras for fruit chaat or roasted makhana. Daily walks or yoga sessions, like a calming Surya Namaskar, burn fat while lifting spirits,” Dr Basant prompt.

4. Avoid aflatoxin publicity

“Aflatoxins, toxic moulds in grains like maize or peanuts, sneak into poorly stored foods, silently raising cancer risks. The Indian Council of Medical Research emphasises the importance of safe storage: keep grains in dry, airtight containers and purchase from trusted vendors. Check for mouldy smells before cooking. For caregivers, this is about vigilance, ensuring the dal-rice on the table is as safe as it is hearty, protecting the liver one meal at a time,” the surgeon defined.

5. Quit smoking and keep away from dangerous chemical compounds

Smoking, whether or not bidis or cigarettes, fuels liver harm with each puff, per the National Tobacco Control Programme. Quitting is hard however potential. Additionally, the surgeon recommends, “Avoiding chemicals like those found in harsh cleaners or pesticides, which are common in homes, adds another layer of care. For parents, a smoke-free, toxin-light home is a gift, ensuring kids breathe easy and livers stay strong.”

6. Regular well being check-ups and liver screening

Lastly, he highlights that early detection saves lives. “Annual liver function tests and ultrasounds, recommended by the NPCDCS framework, spot trouble before it grows. High-risk families, those with a history of hepatitis or heavy drinking, benefit most. Make check-ups a family ritual. A quick blood test can reveal what eyes can’t, keeping the liver’s quiet work uninterrupted,” he provides.

Supporting habits for liver well being

Beyond these pillars, Dr Basant suggests small habits to fortify the liver, together with:

• Drinking ample water or tulsi tea to flush toxins, as suggested by the Ministry of Health.
• Sleep 7 hours each evening and handle stress with deep respiratory or meditation; overworked livers want relaxation.
• Regular train, even a brisk night stroll, boosts liver perform, tying all efforts collectively.

“These acts, simple yet profound, build a fortress of wellness,” Dr Basant added.

Understanding liver most cancers danger elements

Liver most cancers doesn’t seem in a single day; it brews from years of pressure, the surgeon famous. “The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme highlights hepatitis B and C as leading triggers, silently inflaming the liver until scars form, paving the way for cancer,” Dr Basant added.

Additionally, alcohol, even in modest quantities, scars the liver into cirrhosis, which is a dangerous precursor, as famous within the Operational Guidelines for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. “Obesity and diabetes, increasingly common in urban India, pile on fat that chokes the liver, per the Indian Council of Medical Research. Aflatoxins, toxins in poorly stored grains like peanuts, lurk in pantries, while smoking adds a carcinogenic sting. These risks, though daunting, are not destiny. Understanding them empowers families to act, turning worry into wisdom,” he added.

Protecting the liver is defending Life

Liver most cancers just isn’t inevitable. It is preventable when households take easy, constant steps towards more healthy residing. “The liver has a remarkable ability to heal and regenerate when treated with care. By making mindful choices every day, vaccination against hepatitis B, eating wholesome meals, staying active, managing stress, and getting regular check-ups, you protect not only your own health but also the well-being of those who depend on you,” the surgeon added.

Note to readers: This article is for informational functions solely and never an alternative to skilled medical recommendation. Always search the recommendation of your physician with any questions on a medical situation.