Liver cancer crisis looming as prevention lags, says Lancet study

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. excessive / ɪkˈsɛs ɪv / (adj.) – too much of something; more than what is necessary or normal
    Example:

    The boy ate an excessive amount of candy and felt sick afterward.


  2. epidemic / ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk / (n.) – a situation in which a large number of people get the same disease at the same time
    Example:

    There was an epidemic of flu at the school last winter.


  3. culmination / ˌkʌl məˈneɪ ʃən / (n.) – the end or final result of something
    Example:

    After ten years of training and competitions, winning the world championship was the culmination of the athlete’s hard work.


  4. lag behind (someone/something) / læg bɪˈhaɪnd / (idiom) – to move or develop more slowly than someone or something else
    Example:

    Our school is lagging behind others in technology because we still use old computers.


  5. westernized / ˈwɛs tərˌnaɪzd / (adj.) – changed to be more like Western countries, especially in habits, culture, or lifestyle
    Example:

    Some cities have westernized shopping malls with American and European brands instead of local markets.


Article

Read the text below.

A new report from The Lancet reveals that three out of five liver cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable risk factors, with obesity-related cases on the rise.


The analysis, published on 29th July, estimates that over 60% of liver cancers could be avoided by addressing viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition driven by excess fat in the liver.


The situation is particularly urgent in Africa, where liver cancer cases are projected to surge significantly by 2050.


In Nairobi, Ahmed Kalebi is the Principal Pathologist at Dr Ahmed Kalebi Labs.


“Am I worried about metabolic liver disease being a silent epidemic? I am not just worried, I know, because we see it on a daily basis. The number of cases that we pick silently when we come for health check-ups is shocking, and we actually need to do a lot more to increase awareness for people to come for screening and a change of lifestyle. If we don’t, we will be paying a huge price in the next decade to two decades, and that is why 2050 is seen as the culmination of when there will be an explosion of this liver disease associated with cancer,” he says.


Professor Hashem El-Serag believes cases of Hepatitis B and C are causing the increased liver cancer rates in Africa, and that screening and vaccination in the region are lagging behind the rest of the world.


However, he stresses obesity—as the continent becomes increasingly ‘westernized’—is also a major factor.


“Africa is also not immune to the obesity epidemic. With the progressive westernization of their lifestyle and their diets. So, they might be hit with multiple risk factors. A leftover from the old risk factors that really are not moving fast enough. And the emergence of the new risk factors that are happening as a result of globalization,” he says.


Additional measures include public awareness campaigns, improved early detection, and better integration of palliative care for patients.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The article says that more than 60% of liver cancer cases could be prevented. Why do you think the number of cases is still increasing? What challenges might people face in trying to prevent liver cancer (ex. financial limitations, not enough awareness)? Discuss.
  • Kalebi says he sees metabolic liver disease every day in health check-ups. What does this tell us about the importance of regular screening? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Lifestyle changes are suggested as a way to prevent liver cancer. What lifestyle changes do you think would have the biggest impact (ex. get regular check-ups, stop drinking alcoholic drinks)? How realistic do you think it is for people to make these changes? Discuss.
  • Many countries are moving from traditional foods to Western-style diets, such as fast food, sugary drinks, and processed snacks. Do you think the traditional diet in your country is healthier than these? Do you prefer it to a Western-style diet? Why do you say so? Discuss.