Can eating more mushrooms and soybeans prevent liver cancer? Several methods to prevent liver cancer

In my country, primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and its incidence has been gradually increasing in recent years. The onset of primary liver cancer is often hidden, and there are generally no clinical symptoms in the early stages, or there are only symptoms and signs of liver disease. Once typical clinical manifestations appear, such as pain in the liver area, weight loss, jaundice, etc., it is usually in the middle and late stages. Therefore, among the patients with liver cancer who are initially diagnosed, only 10%-15% of patients have the opportunity to undergo radical surgery. The overall prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer is poor. Studies have shown that more than 80% of human cancers are caused by social environmental factors, and cancer can be avoided and prevented.

Can eating more mushrooms and soybeans prevent liver cancer?

A new study suggests there's a simple way to help reduce your risk of liver cancer and extend your life: eat mushrooms, soy beans, whole grains, aged cheese and other foods rich in spermidine.

The researchers found that mice fed an oral supplement of spermidine had lower rates of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than mice not supplemented with spermidine. In addition, the team from the Texas Tech University College of Biological Sciences and Technology also found that spermidine can extend the lifespan of mice by 25%. The study's co-author, Dr. Leyuan Liu from the Texas Tech University College of Biological Sciences and Technology, and colleagues published their latest research results in the journal Cancer Research.

Spermidine is a polyamine—with at least two amino groups—that was originally isolated from sperm, hence the name spermidine. Spermidine also occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including aged cheese, mushrooms, beans, soy, whole grains, and corn.

How to prevent liver cancer

1. Hepatitis B vaccine injection

Nine out of ten liver cancer patients have a history of hepatitis B. People who have had hepatitis B are more than 10 times more likely to develop liver cancer than others. The risk of liver cancer for people who carry the hepatitis B virus is at least 6 times that of healthy people. The hepatitis B virus infection rate in my country is more than 13%. Once infected with hepatitis B, there is currently no complete cure. Therefore, preventing hepatitis is one of the most important measures to prevent liver cancer. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through body fluids (such as blood, secretions, etc.). In addition to paying attention to the hygiene of blood products and not sharing razors and toothbrushes with others, vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine is the simplest and most effective prevention method.

2. Improve your diet

Moldy foods often contain aflatoxin, which is also one of the important factors that promote liver cancer. Moldy foods, such as moldy corn, peanuts, melon seeds, etc., contain more aflatoxin and should not be eaten. Do not eat overnight food. Improve drinking water. Take appropriate selenium supplements.

3. Quit smoking and drinking

Excessive drinking can easily lead to alcoholic hepatitis, reduce immune function, and damage the liver's detoxification function.

4. Regular inspection

If someone in the family has liver cancer or other types of tumors, other family members should pay special attention. In addition to the cancer prevention measures mentioned above (preventing hepatitis, not eating moldy food, etc.), you should also develop a good habit of regular physical examinations. Every 6 months, go to the hospital for an abdominal B-ultrasound examination + serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFp) examination. It is recommended that men over 40 years old or women over 50 years old, people who drink alcohol for a long time, and diabetic patients go to the hospital for a physical examination every year.