Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management & Technology (GGNIMT), Civil Lines, organised a ‘Liver Cancer Awareness Seminar’ on Monday. Around 300 students and faculty members attended the session. Speaking on the occasion Dr Navdeep Singh, Head of Cancer Department, Global Heart Hospital, Ludhiana, said that ‘liver cancer is among top five cancers in Punjab. It causes death within 1 year from diagnosis and only preventive attitude can save the patient.” Explaining the causes he said that liver cancer is caused by alcohol, liver viruses and liver fungus. He added that alcohol damages the liver and the damaged liver is called cirrhosis and leads to cancer. He also formed that liver viruses are called HBV and HCV and people get these by sharing needles amongst drug addicts, by sexual transmission and by blood transfusion. Liver viruses attack and damage the liver causing cancer. Dr Navdeep suggested that people who consume alcohol regularly should get ultrasound of the liver done every six months to detect cancer at an early stage. Also, health workers should get vaccinated for HBV. He added that liver fungus is called Aflatoxin and is produced by poorly harvested and stored products like peanuts, corns, rice and dried fruits. So he exhorted that everyone should be careful and should strictly consume food only after thorough washing to protect oneself from liver fungus.
