https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(08)00778-2/pdf
An interesting old article. So the risk appears to be liver specific and among male family members? And researchers weren’t sure how much a role genetic plays vs life style and environmental exposure? What have we learnt about this since 2009?
Hi @babytobeast,
Great question. I have come to believe that it is not one or the other, but rather the more exposures one has, the higher the risk. For example, if someone has HBV, they have a family history of HCC, they drink, smoke, and don’t eat healthily, this will increase their HCC risk compared to someone who has a family history but does not drink, smoke, and eat healthily.
Family history, genetics, our environment, health behaviors, and other factors all play some significant role in determining whether someone develops HCC or not. Hopefully, by taking care of ourselves, we will be spared the worst from this disease. That is my take on this. I hope it helps. Bansah1
Thanks @Bansah1 .
Agreed. Weighing different factors is valuable. For instance, I probably contracted the virus at birth. Although I have lived in developed countries for decades, am I still 3 times more likely to develop hcc than the general population here? Furthermore, is my sibling who is still living in an endemic country and used to live a less than healthy lifestyle, 3 times more likely to develop hcc than me?
Everyone who is infected with HBV at birth has a 25% chance, if I remember correctly. But with proper care management, I believe that number can be decreased. It could increase for those not under adequate care management of their HBV, and considering all the other factors we mentioned come into play. There’s no direct answer to who gets HCC and why. But we do understand and know the risk factors that can increase those chances.
I am similar to you. I am on treatment and receive care here, but my siblings didn’t need treatment, and monitoring has not been frequent despite my encouraging them to. I get a sense they don’t understand how serious HBV is. I don’t know what their current status is since they have dropped out of care. This could be problematic.
So it’s a complex subject matter. I hope this helps. Bansah1