Who Gets Liver Cancer?

·         Liver and intrahepatic bile duct (IBD) cancer starts inside the liver.

·         Nearly 1,200 Ohioans were diagnosed with liver and IBD cancer in 2018.

·         Liver and IBD cancer is more than 2 times as common in men as in women.

·         Asians/Pacific Islanders, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and Hispanics have the highest rates of liver and IBD cancer, followed by Blacks. Whites have the lowest rates.

Liver Cancer Deaths

• Nearly 1,000 Ohioans died from liver and IBD cancer in 2019.
• Liver and IBD cancer death rates have increased 17% in Ohio from 2010 to 2019.

Stage at Diagnosis and Survival

• About 44% of liver and IBD cancer cases in Ohio were diagnosed at an early (local) stage in 2018.
• 34% of people diagnosed at an early stage when liver and IBD cancer has not spread beyond the liver or IBD SURVIVE 5 YEARS.
• 3% of people diagnosed with distant stage liver and IBD cancer that has spread to other parts of the body SURVIVE 5 YEARS.

Risk Factors for Liver Cancer

• Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection.
• Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
• Heavy alcohol use.
• Obesity/overweight.
• Smoking.
• Type 2 diabetes.

To lower your risk for liver cancer:

• Get tested for hepatitis C and get treated if you have it.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.*
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
• Stop smoking or never start.
• Keep a healthy weight.

*Recommended for all infants at birth and for adults who may be at increased risk.

Ohio cancer reports are available on the Cancer Data and Statistics webpage.

Sources: Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (2018) and Bureau of Vital Statistics (2010-2019), Ohio Department of Health; SEER Program, National Cancer Institute; CDC.