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World Cancer Research Fund updates report on liver cancer
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Individuals who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for liver cancer, but those who consume coffee have a decreased risk, according to a Continuous Update Project report on liver cancer published by the World Cancer Research Fund.
The report updates the liver cancer section of the 2007 Second Expert Report, a rigorous, systematic, global analysis of the scientific research currently available on diet, weight, physical activity and liver cancer.
The report — which details factors that increase or decrease the risk for liver cancer — includes data on approximately 8.2 million adults from 34 studies. Those studies consisted of 24,500 cases of liver cancer.
Key findings of the report indicate there are significant data suggesting people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for liver cancer. Consumption of three or more alcoholic beverages per day and the consumption of foods contaminated by aflatoxins also increase risk.
“Aflatoxins are produced by inadequate storage of food and are generally an issue related to foods from warmer, developing regions of the world,” according to the report. “Foods that may be affected by aflatoxins include cereals, spices, peanuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, chilies, black pepper, dried fruit and figs.”
Conversely, the report suggests there are considerable data that indicate the consumption of coffee is associated with a decreased risk for liver cancer.
The report’s authors indicated there is limited evidence that physical activity and higher consumption of fish may reduce risk for liver cancer.
The report outlined two key recommendations for reducing liver cancer risk: maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting consumption of alcohol to a maximum of two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
“Our cancer prevention recommendations are for preventing cancer in general and include eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight,” the report’s authors wrote.
Reference:
World Cancer Research Fund International. Continuous Update Project. Available at: www.wcrf.org/sites/default/files/Liver-Cancer-2015-Report.pdf. Accessed May 5, 2015.