India, July 5 -- Cancer is a scary word. It's a diagnosis that no one wants to hear. But if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, it's essential to understand the disease so that you can help enlighten your own or someone else's path on the journey to defeat this condition. Liver cancer is a disease in which abnormal (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is increasing worldwide, including in India. Nearly 80-90% of HCC cases develop in people with cirrhosis, a condition that causes irreversible liver scarring. Major risk factors include chronic hepatitis B or C infection, excessive alcohol use, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, inherited disorders such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease, and exposure to aflatoxins from poorly stored food. Prevention focuses on hepatitis B vaccination, safe injection practices, avoiding unsterile tattooing or piercing, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling diabetes and seeking treatment for hepatitis infections. People at high risk should discuss regular screening with their doctor. Treatment options include surgery, liver transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), ablation, systemic therapy and advanced radiation techniques that precisely target tumours while minimising exposure to healthy tissue. This promotes preferential destruction of cancer cells, better tumour control, and fewer side effects. Early detection and expert care significantly improve outcomes. Educate yourself about the disease and its treatment to help you make meaningful progress in your or someone's fight against cancer. The author of this article is an MBBS, MD (FICO) (ex-Medanta Gurugram); consultant, radiation oncology at Indus Super Speciality Hospital, Phase 1, Mohali. She can be contacted at 01762-512666...