Alcohol Use and Fatty Liver Disease Increase the Risk of Liver Cancer

The causes of liver cancer are changing. Liver cancer is now more likely to be caused by fatty liver disease or alcohol. In fact, more than a third of hepatocellular carcinoma cases among Medicare recipients were due to fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD). In addition, the more alcohol a person drinks, particularly used regularly over time, the higher the risk of liver cancer. This risk is increased if a person also has hepatitis B or C.