People of Color are more likely to get liver disease, including liver cancer.
Liver cancer rates are rising in African American and Hispanic American communities while falling in others.
Liver cancer risks are different depending on your ethnicity and race. The good news is that we can reduce our risk for liver cancer.
When we share our health care journey, we can inspire someone who looks like us to take action, which may improve their outcomes.
When more people share their story, more power goes into the hands of patients.
“I had no pain, I had nothing, nor did I have knowledge of what a fatty liver meant.
So, I did not question my doctor as to what a fatty liver was, nor did my doctor indicate to me what changes in my lifestyle I had to make…”
—Anita, Fatty Liver Disease and HCC PatientAnita, Patient and Advocate
Alvin, Patient and Advocate
“If you’ve been cured from hepatitis C, you’re still at risk for HCC. See a hepatologist, as you still need to get checked regularly for liver cancer.”
—Alvin, HCC Patient
“A few years before my liver cancer diagnosis, my son passed away. I thought, why is it only me left? I must still be useful. I still have the strength to help people. I know how to comfort others. When I found out I had liver cancer, I asked myself why I looked so strong to others. It’s because I already have experience. There are still opportunities to do many things, still opportunities for treatment. That is a great blessing.” —Alice, Patient and Advocate
Alice, Patient and Advocate
Interested in sharing your story? If you are selected, you will be paid for your time.
Hispanic Americans are 2.5 times more likely to get liver cancer compared to the general population.
Once diagnosed, 60% of Hispanic patients can’t get a liver transplant because the cancer has already spread outside of the liver.
The most common risk factors found in Hispanic American liver cancer patients are fatty liver disease and diabetes:
African Americans are 1.5 times more likely to get liver cancer than the general population. They are less likely to be diagnosed with early-stage HCC than White patients and have the highest death rate of any ethnic group.
The most common risk factors found in African American liver cancer patients are hepatitis C and diabetes:
Asian Americans have the second highest number of new liver cancer patients compared to the general population.
Foreign-born Asian Americans are more likely to get liver cancer than those born in the United States.
Asian American women are ~2 times more likely to get liver cancer compared to other women, and Asian American men are 60% more likely to die from liver cancer compared to other men.
The most common risk factor found in Asian American liver cancer patients is hepatitis B.
When liver cancer starts in the liver, instead of another part of the body, and spreads to the liver, it’s known as primary liver cancer.
Here are 4 types of primary liver cancer found in adults:
If you have a higher risk of getting liver cancer, consider some actions you can take to reduce your risk:
First, don’t lose hope. There are many FDA-approved treatment options, even to treat more advanced liver cancer. Work with your doctor and consult with an oncologist, a specialist who identifies and treats cancers.
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