In a recent study, there was a group of scientists from the University of Southern California did a study about a chemical called PFOS.
This chemical is found in many things we use every day, like products we use to clean our homes or cook our food.
The scientists found that PFOS can cause a type of liver cancer called non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma.
PFOS is a type of chemical that is called a forever chemical. This means that it does not break down easily, and it can stay in our environment and in our bodies for a very long time.
It is also part of a larger group of chemicals called PFAS, which are used in many different products.
The scientists did their study by looking at data from over 200,000 people who live in Los Angeles and Hawaii.
They focused on 50 people who got liver cancer and looked at their blood samples from before they got sick. They compared those samples to 50 people who did not get liver cancer.
The scientists found that the people who had the highest levels of PFOS in their blood were 4.5 times more likely to get liver cancer than the people who had the lowest levels.
They also found that PFOS can change the way our liver works. Our liver helps our body break down food and get rid of waste. When PFOS is in our liver, it can stop our liver from doing its job the right way.
This can cause a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. NAFLD happens when too much fat builds up in our liver, which can make us sick.
Unfortunately, NAFLD is becoming more common around the world, and it can lead to liver cancer.
The scientists hope to do more research to learn more about how PFOS and other chemicals can affect our health.
They want to find ways to protect people from getting sick and to make sure that the products we use every day are safe for us and for our environment.
How to prevent liver cancer
While there is no surefire way to prevent liver cancer, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk. Here are some tips:
Get vaccinated for hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and can protect you from the virus.
Avoid risky behaviors: Certain activities, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex, can increase your risk of hepatitis B and C, which can lead to liver cancer. Avoiding these behaviors can reduce your risk.
Limit alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can cause cirrhosis of the liver, which is a major risk factor for liver cancer. Limiting your alcohol consumption can help prevent cirrhosis and reduce your risk of liver cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of liver cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce your risk.
Avoid exposure to toxins: Exposure to certain chemicals and toxins, such as aflatoxins, can increase your risk of liver cancer. Taking precautions to avoid exposure to these toxins can help reduce your risk.
Get regular check-ups: If you have a family history of liver cancer or other risk factors, such as hepatitis B or C, it is important to get regular check-ups with your doctor. They can monitor your liver function and check for signs of liver cancer.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce your risk of liver cancer and maintain a healthy liver.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about dairy foods linked to liver cancer, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
The research was published in JHEP Reports and conducted by Jesse Goodrich et al.
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