Today's news about Liver Cancer - a Silent Killer

Historically, we have associated the words “silent killer” with hypertension. Why? Because high blood pressure can go undetected until it is too late.  It can develop over time and not be cured. But, with proper medical care, many with hypertension can lead normal lives. The advances in cardiovascular interventions, in pharmacological research, in dietary discoveries have been remarkable over the past twenty years. So is hypertension a silent killer? Yes, it can be, for sure…but I am here to tell you about one for which there is no cure, and which can sneak up on someone who is otherwise healthy as a proverbial horse.

Today’s news revealed that the increase in deaths from liver cancer has increased 43% over the past 16 years. Where deaths from other cancers have declined, liver cancer deaths have moved from the #9 oncological killer to #6. Why? Surely tests can detect liver cancer, right? Aren’t there palpable lumps? How about changes in moles? Lesions? Problems breathing? Pain?

Nope. Yes, there are definitely conditions, both physiological and environmental, that can cause the development of this deadly carcinoma. We all know that heavy drinking can lead to cirrhosis, the scarring of the liver that can result in liver cancer. Certain types of hepatitis can cause liver cancer. Of course, the “jury” is out on such environmental causes such as exposure to toxins, such as insecticides or Agent Orange. But did you know that a leading cause of liver cancer is obesity? NAFLD, or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, can lead to cirrhosis and is often the result of obesity, particularly heavy “gut” width.

There is no cure for liver cancer. Discovered early, it can be staved off with a transplant or resection or chemotherapy or another immunotherapy protocol. That’s the catch, though.  Discovered early. Since it tends to have no symptoms, and its victims feel fine until it is pretty much too late, that early discovery is not particularly common. And even so, the outlook is dire.

I know. I just lost my otherwise healthy husband, my partner and soulmate of 40 years, to undetected liver cancer. In February, although he felt pretty good overall, he complained of some puffiness in his abdomen so on February 8 he went to his primary care provider who ran some tests…those tests led to a CT scan…that scan led to a biopsy and he was diagnosed on February 26. He saw the local oncologist on March 9, then went to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion on April 5 and died at home on April 26. Two months from diagnosis! He was fit and trim for the last years of his life but had battled weight issues for many years. He never knew he was fighting a battle that would result in his prematurely and suddenly leaving behind a loving wife, two adoring daughters and a six-week old grandson among others, all just three months before he was supposed to be celebrating his 70^th birthday on a surprise Alaska cruise.

So, what’s the point, you ask? A lot of people are suffering loss, grief, sadness and despair.

Here is the point. As I wandered through the grocery store today, I was reminded that we are an obese society. I looked at fat (sorry, but it is time to call a spade a spade) moms with their fat kids in tow, with shopping carts filled to the brim with chips, cookies, soda, ice cream, fried foods and candies. There wasn’t a lettuce leaf, broccoli bunch, celery stalk or piece of fresh fruit to be seen. These same moms were among those exhilarated by the relatively recent opening of yet another fast food restaurant in the area (there are now eight, yes eight fast food restaurants in less than a quarter-mile area). These kids can’t walk, let alone run. They can’t play sports, they sit with their tablets and smartphones and play hide and seek in a virtual world instead.

And they are ALL candidates for NAFLD later on in life. Sure, they all know about diabetes and the tendency of the obese to become Type 2 diabetics. And, I guess, they figure a lot of people are diabetic. But do they know they might. maybe, possibly, end up with a silent killer other than the high blood pressure the may be caused by their controllable habits? That even if they never touch a drop of alcohol in their lives the development of liver disease caused by their obesity can actually kill them later and rob them of knowing their children or grandchildren or keep them from celebrating milestone birthdays?

Yes, I am angry. I am angry that I lost the love of my life without warning. I am angry there was no way to diagnosis his silent killer before it found its voice. I am angry that no one ever told him his weight problems as a younger man might result in a problem other than hypertension. But I am angrier even now that the knowledge IS out there. That the education IS out there. That the warnings ARE out there. And still the carts are filled with soda and chips and the kids can’t walk to their parents’ cars without gasping for air.

I would have sold my soul to have had the knowledge that might have saved my husband’s life. It wasn’t available “back in the day”. It sure is now. So wake up and smell the facts. Liver cancer is a silent killer and could be coming for you if you don’t watch out.