Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in Singapore, often developing without symptoms in its early stages. Many patients only discover it when it has progressed to an advanced stage, making treatment more complex. But in many cases, liver cancer doesn’t happen suddenly. It builds silently over time due to underlying conditions or lifestyle risks.
In this article, we’ll explain the most common causes of liver cancer, highlight seven key risk factors every Singaporean should know, and provide insight into why early detection could save lives.
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What Exactly Is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer occurs when healthy liver cells begin to grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which often develops in people with chronic liver damage.
The liver plays a vital role in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification, but it’s also vulnerable to damage from infections, fat buildup, alcohol, or inherited conditions. Over time, repeated damage may cause scarring (cirrhosis), which increases the risk of liver cells becoming cancerous.
Singapore sees a high number of liver cancer cases each year, especially among those with hepatitis B or long-standing liver conditions. Because early liver cancer is often symptomless, many cases are only diagnosed during routine scans or late-stage evaluations.
1. Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Hepatitis B remains the leading cause of liver cancer in Singapore. According to the Ministry of Health, about 3–4% of Singapore’s population lives with chronic hepatitis B, often without knowing it.
This virus attacks the liver slowly over time, increasing the risk of both cirrhosis and liver cancer. People infected at birth or early childhood are particularly at risk because the virus stays in the body for decades.
If you have hepatitis B, you may not feel unwell. But regular monitoring through liver ultrasound and AFP blood tests can detect changes before they become life-threatening. Antiviral medications can also slow disease progression.
2. Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
While less prevalent in Singapore, hepatitis C also increases liver cancer risk significantly. It spreads primarily through blood-to-blood contact, and many people carry it unknowingly for years.
Left untreated, hepatitis C causes long-term inflammation that eventually leads to cirrhosis. Fortunately, it can now be cured with direct-acting antiviral drugs — which reduces your cancer risk drastically.
If you had a blood transfusion before 1992 or shared needles, get tested for hepatitis C, even if you feel healthy.
3. Cirrhosis (Liver Scarring)
Cirrhosis is a common pathway to liver cancer, regardless of the underlying cause. It develops when healthy liver tissue becomes scarred and unable to function properly.
Cirrhosis can result from:
- Chronic hepatitis B or C
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Autoimmune liver disease or genetic disorders
When scarring becomes extensive, it increases the chance that liver cells mutate into cancer cells. People with cirrhosis should undergo liver cancer screening every 6 months as part of their routine care.
4. Long-Term Alcohol Use
Consuming excessive alcohol over many years damages liver cells and causes inflammation. This can lead to alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis, increasing your cancer risk.
In Singapore, liver cancer from alcohol-related liver disease is less common than hepatitis-related cases, but the numbers are rising. Men who drink more than three standard drinks a day, or women who exceed two, are considered at higher risk.
Reducing alcohol intake or stopping altogether can significantly reduce long-term liver damage.
5. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD is now a major liver condition in Singapore, driven by rising obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver despite little or no alcohol intake.
In its early stages, fatty liver may be harmless. But as it progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), it causes inflammation and fibrosis — leading to cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer.
If you have Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or are higher weight, your doctor may recommend liver function tests or an ultrasound to check for fatty liver disease.
6. Family History of Liver Cancer
A family history of liver cancer can increase your own risk, especially if you also carry a chronic hepatitis infection. This could be due to shared genetic conditions or early-life exposure to viruses like hepatitis B.
If a parent or sibling has had liver cancer, you should speak to a hepatologist about regular liver check-ups — even if you don’t have symptoms.
7. Exposure to Aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by mould, typically found in improperly stored grains and nuts. While Singapore has strict food safety standards, long-term or repeated exposure to aflatoxins through imported or contaminated food can still pose a risk.
Aflatoxins damage DNA and have been linked to a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in people who already have hepatitis B.
Why This Matters: Early Detection Saves Lives
Liver cancer is difficult to treat in its advanced stages, but when caught early, more treatment options are available — including resection (surgical removal), liver transplant, radiofrequency ablation, or targeted therapies.
In Singapore, those at high risk (especially hepatitis B patients or people with cirrhosis) are advised to undergo screening every 6 months. This typically includes:
- Ultrasound of the liver
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test
- CT or MRI scan if further evaluation is needed
Early detection leads to better outcomes, improved survival rates, and more manageable treatment plans.
Learn More: Guide To Medical Imaging
Connect with a Liver Specialist in Singapore
You may feel completely fine, but if you fall into one or more of these risk groups, your liver could still be in danger. Many people live with chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or early-stage cirrhosis without realising the long-term damage being done.
Understanding what causes liver cancer is the first step toward protecting yourself or your loved ones. Don’t wait for symptoms like abdominal pain or jaundice to appear. Be proactive. Click the button below to connect with our preferred liver specialist in Singapore and take control of your liver health today.
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