Alcohol

Cirrhosis of the liver is the leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, limiting the amount of alcohol that you drink can help prevent damage to your liver, and lower your risk of HCC.

The recommended daily amount of alcohol consumption is 3-4 units for men, and 2-3 units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine, or a pub measure (25ml) or spirits.

Hepatitis B

If you are at risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus, you should see your GP to obtain a hepatitis B vaccine. People at risk include:

• those who inject drugs, and share needles and other equipment,
• those who have frequent unprotected sex,
• people who have an occupation which brings them in close contact with blood products, such as nurses, doctors, dentists, prison wardens, and medical laboratory staff, and
• those who frequently travel to parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, such as North America, South-East Asia, and the eastern Mediterranean.

Hepatitis C

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, and no guaranteed way to protect yourself against infection. However, you should always use a barrier-form of contraception, such as a condom, in order to reduce the risk.

If you inject drugs, do not share equipment. Many local authorities offer needle exchange programmes, where you can obtain clean syringes. Your GP, or drug counsellor, should be able to provide more details about this.