- The project proposes that every October 30 the National Day Against Liver Cancer be commemorated.
- At the national level it represents the seventh place in incidence of malignant tumors.
- Through the prevention and identification of risk factors, it will be possible to reduce their incidence in the country, as well as timely access to diagnosis and treatment.
Liver cancer represents the seventh place in incidence for malignant tumors in Mexico. It is also the fourth leading cause of death nationwide and one of its characteristics is that it particularly affects adults of economically active age. With this scenario, more actions are required for its prevention and combat.
Reverse the high rates prevailing in Mexico
As a result of the above, the deputy María Eugenia Hernández Pérez, secretary of the Science and Technology Commission in the Chamber of Deputies and member of the Alliance for People with Liver Cancer (AFAPECH) presented an initiative. This is the creation of the first National Liver Cancer Awareness Day.
“Despite the fact that liver cancer is one of the cancers that most affects the Mexican population, to this day we still do not have a national commemorative date to join forces in giving visibility and more information about the characteristics and impact of this disease. ”.
This project contemplates that every October 30 this event is incorporated into the national calendar. The objective is to inform the population about risk factors and their prevention in order to reduce incidence in the country. It also seeks to promote timely access to diagnosis and treatment.
For her part, Dr. Nayelli Cointa Flores, member of AFAPECH and specialist attached to the Department of Gastroenterology and member of the Liver Clinic of the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubiránabounded on the current national panorama.
“Among the tumors that originate in the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and represents between 70 and 80%. The problem is that most do not manifest until they are in advanced stages, so their diagnosis in early stages is unusual. For this reason it is important to make the risk factors visible and inform the general population about how to prevent it and identify it in time”.
Main risk factors
He also mentioned that in recent years it has been detected that fatty liver is increasingly common in the Mexican population and is one of the main risk factors for HCC. It is also strongly linked to metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, as well as the consumption of diets high in fat and carbohydrates, which are very important problems in Mexico.
Other risk factors also associated with this tumor are infections with hepatitis B and C viruses, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, aflatoxin and high alcohol consumption. All of these problems trigger liver damage, which, if left unchecked, can progress to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer.
Like many oncological diseases, the biggest drawback is that most cases are detected in advanced stages, which limits treatment options and therefore affects people’s life prognosis. If detected early, liver cancer patients may have the opportunity to receive early treatment and even be cured, thus achieving a better life expectancy.
“It is important that comprehensive public policies be created where clinical research on liver cancer is promoted to better understand the associated risk factors, the behavior of this tumor in the Mexican population, and to what extent timely treatment can improve the quality of life. lives of people who suffer from it. The best research is the one whose results reach the patient quickly”.
Both deputies and AFAPECH invite all health professionals, civil organizations and authorities to join in giving visibility and dissemination of the risk factors associated with developing a liver tumor and promote a lifestyle healthier.
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