The singer of the theme song of "Send You a Little Red Flower" died of cancer. Is it too late to discover this kind of cancer?

"I give you a little red flower, blooming on the new branch you grew yesterday, as a reward for having the courage to take the initiative to talk to me..." This low, magnetic voice seems to bring us back to the movie again.

Some time ago, the movie "Send You a Little Red Flower" became a big hit. While we were still discussing the touching plot and singing the beautiful songs, we heard the news that Zhao Yingjun, the singer of the movie's theme song, unfortunately died of liver cancer. It was a pity and shocking! The ruthless cancer once again made us think:

Why is liver cancer diagnosed in the middle or late stages?

What tests can help us detect it in advance?

Which groups of people should be screened in advance?

How can we prevent it in our daily lives?

Today, Yaowa will talk to you about the screening and prevention of liver cancer.

"Silent organs" don't cry out in pain

The liver is the synthesis site of important substances in the human body and the largest detoxification organ. Because it does not have pain cells, the liver will not "cry out in pain" when cancer occurs. In addition, the liver has a strong metabolic capacity. Even if some cells are damaged, other cells can still take over the work. As a result, many people do not have obvious clinical symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer. Because liver cancer is good at hiding, once discovered, most of them are already in the middle or even late stages.

In my country, primary liver cancer ranks fourth among common malignant tumors and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, posing a serious threat to people's lives and health.

Because of this, screening becomes particularly important. Through screening, we can find early patients with chronic diseases and identify high-risk groups, so as to achieve early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.

Two "tools" for early screening

Abdominal ultrasound (US) and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are the main means of early screening and the first-line tools for liver cancer monitoring.

US can sensitively detect space-occupying lesions in the liver and preliminarily differentiate between benign and malignant tumors by observing the blood supply to the lesion site. It is simple to operate and causes little harm to the body.

AFP levels are related to tumor size and are a specific tumor marker for primary liver cancer. By monitoring changes in AFP, early warning of hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer lesions can be provided. The serum alpha-fetoprotein values ​​of some people with benign liver diseases, hepatoblastoma, and gastrointestinal malignancies will also increase.

In addition, multi-slice spiral CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), isotope scanning, hepatic angiography and other examinations as well as the determination of new tumor markers such as antagonist II-induced protein, serum ferritin, osteopontin, etc. can also assist in the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Six groups of people are prone to high incidence

1) Chronic viral hepatitis patients include those infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). HBV infection remains the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide.

2) Excessive drinking can significantly increase the risk of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis.

3) The main factors of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.

4) People exposed to carcinogens, such as those who have long consumed food contaminated with aflatoxin or Chinese herbal medicines containing aristolochic acid. These two ingredients have been defined as Class I carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO).

5) Patients with cirrhosis Among patients with cirrhosis, those who are older, male, and have low platelet counts (males aged 40 years and over) are at greater risk.

Four levels of regular monitoring

People at risk of liver cancer require lifelong monitoring.

For people at very high risk of liver cancer, it is best to have routine monitoring (abdominal ultrasound combined with serum alpha-fetoprotein monitoring) once every 3 months and enhanced CT or MRI examination once every 6 to 12 months;

For people at high risk of liver cancer, routine monitoring is required every 6 months;

For low- to medium-risk groups, the monitoring interval can be extended to 1 year or more.

To prevent liver cancer, you must change 6 lifestyles:

1. Children and high-risk groups should actively receive hepatitis B vaccination.

2. Patients with viral hepatitis should receive timely and regular antiviral treatment.

3. People at high risk of disease should monitor their liver function and blood sugar regularly.

4. Grain, oil and food should be stored in a dry place and moldy food should not be eaten.

5. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

6. Increase exercise and eat a balanced diet.

Author: Zhang Wei, pharmacist at Yangquan Coal Group General Hospital, Shanxi Province

Review expert: Ren Jianye, chief pharmacist of Yangquan Coal Group General Hospital, Shanxi Province

Wei Guoyi, Chief Pharmacist, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University