Taking the fight to liver disease

If a spinning ceiling as a result of drinking too much alcohol was a regular part of your adolescence, you may have harmed your liver. But because the organ has few nerve endings, you might not notice all the damage that those margaritas and mojitos inflicted. That's bad news, because apart from the brain, the liver, is the most complex and crucial organ we possess; a miraculous living laboratory that carries out vital chores. These include converting nutrients from food into blood components, detoxifying the blood and producing enzymes to balance hormones. It also boosts the immune system to fight infections and makes bile, which is essential for digesting food. With such a huge workload, it's vital the liver is kept in top condition. While some liver problems are inherited, any damage to the organ - including from alcohol abuse - means an increased risk of a person developing a liver disease such as cirrhosis or fatty liver, and cancer. According to the University of Hong Kong, Asia has a high incidence of liver cancer, with more than 80 per cent of the world's cases occurring in the region. One in four sufferers of hepatitis B, for example, with half a million carriers in Hong Kong, dies from liver cancer, cirrhosis or other complications, according to the Hong Kong Hep B Free Foundation. Last August, in a major new direction, HKU researchers developed a system to classify the different stages of liver cancer - the third leading cause of cancer death in Hong Kong - so patients can get more targeted treatment. It's the first time such a system has been developed in Asia. In 2012, 1,505 people died from liver cancer in Hong Kong, accounting for 11.3 per cent of all cancer deaths in the city. On the mainland, the disease is the second most common cancer, accounting for more than 55 per cent of the almost one million new liver cancer cases worldwide every year. "Liver cancer is relatively rare in Western countries but widespread in Asia, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of all liver cancer deaths worldwide each year," says Professor Ronnie Poon Tung-ping, head of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery at HKU. "Improving treatment guidelines is critical to reducing deaths locally and globally from the disease. By providing better prognostic classification and newer, more aggressive treatment strategies than existing staging systems, Hong Kong liver cancer staging yields a better survival outcome and cure rate for liver cancer patients." The new staging system divides those with liver cancer into five stages of the disease's progression, based on the performance status of the patient, liver functions and extent of tumours. The previous Barcelona Clinic liver cancer system had four stages. Researchers at HKU and Queen Mary Hospital studied 3,856 cases treated at the Pok Fu Lam hospital from 1995 to 2008 to form the study which now recommends more aggressive surgical treatment for patients with advanced, multiple or more complex tumours. This improves the chances of survival. Improving treatment guidelines is critical to reducing liver cancer deaths Professor Ronnie Poon, HKU News of the breakthrough was timely. In August, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals called for a ban on the sale of alcohol on campuses in Hong Kong after a study showed that a fifth of university students had engaged in binge drinking. However, only 1 per cent admitted they had a drinking problem. According to the Health Department, binge drinking is defined as consuming five glasses or cans of alcoholic drinks in a row. The survey also found that students were oblivious to the harmful effects of alcohol. According to the American Cancer Society, refraining from drinking alcohol, or drinking in moderation, is a big step towards preventing liver cancer. Quitting smoking also reduces the risk, as does controlling weight; those who are obese are more likely to have fatty liver disease and diabetes, both of which have been linked to liver cancer. The society also advises against unprotected sex and the sharing of needles, both of which spread hepatitis B and C, viral infections which lead to liver damage. While abstention is the best way to avoid harm to your liver and pave the way for the organ's recovery, there are some holistic lifestyle choices that, while not all scientifically proven, have been promoted as ways to improve liver function. "The liver can regenerate itself, which makes it unique," says Hong Kong-based nutritionist Courtney Moskal. Moskal believes the ancient spice turmeric can help heal the liver because it contains curcumin, considered a potent antioxidant. Another way to cleanse your liver is to drink plenty of water - preferably with a slice of lemon. The citrus fruit boosts the purification process, stimulating bile which eradicates toxins. When you are properly hydrated - in fact very few people often are - you feel more zippy and alert. The standard recommended water dose is eight glasses a day. Less well-known is milk thistle - or St Mary's Thistle. Some claim the ingredient called silymarin, which comes from the plant's seeds, assists the liver by preventing toxins from entering the organ. For help tackling alcohol addiction, contact Alcoholics Anonymous HK aa-hk.org or Tuen Mun Alcohol Treatment Service, tel: 2456 8260. For more about the HK Liver Cancer Foundation, go to hklcf.org

Taking the fight to liver disease

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Avoiding alcohol abuse can lower the risk

Avoiding alcohol abuse can lower the risk