"Do women who don't drink alcohol have healthy livers?"... Can common fatty liver develop into cancer?

Examined ovarian cancer in women under 50... also related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

At the 2024 Korean Society of Family Medicine Spring Conference held last month, a paper was presented indicating that women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have a higher risk of developing 'young ovarian cancer' under the age of 50.

Even obese women without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease did not have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Conversely, women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had an increased risk of ovarian cancer regardless of obesity status. Non-drinkers are classified as having non-alcoholic fatty liver if they accumulate more than 5% fat in the liver due to high-calorie food intake and lack of exercise.

According to data from the Central Cancer Registry in December 2023, there were 3,221 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2021. Among the patients, those under 50 years old, in their 40s, accounted for 17.8%. Those in their 50s made up 28.7%, and those in their 60s accounted for 20.5%.

According to the National Cancer Information Center, the most dangerous cause of ovarian cancer is related to ovulation. A longer ovulation period in a lifetime, such as early menarche or late menopause, increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Unmarried women and women with infertility also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. 5-10% of ovarian cancers have a genetic component. If a mother or sister has had ovarian cancer, the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer is higher compared to those without such a family history.

Mildly viewed fatty liver... increased risk of liver cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer

Even common fatty liver should not be taken lightly. The liver can worsen into a more dangerous disease because it often causes no pain despite damage. Studies have shown that if fatty liver is not treated promptly, the risk of liver cancer can increase by 16.7 times, colon cancer by 2 times, and breast cancer by 1.9 times. The increased risk of colon and breast cancer appears to be due to ongoing inflammation caused by excessive calorie intake, lack of exercise, and obesity.

Eating bread and meat fat frequently... gained weight and increased liver fat

Most cases of fatty liver are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, even if you do not drink alcohol. Consuming foods high in saturated fats, such as refined carbohydrates (bread, noodles, etc.) and fatty meats (pork belly, internal organs, etc.), can increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Lack of exercise is also a cause. In obese individuals, 60-80% have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. If fatty liver is left untreated, it can progress to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Losing weight improves liver enzyme levels... Eating low-calorie foods like vegetables plus exercise helps.

Losing only about 5% of body weight can improve liver function and also enhance insulin resistance, which increases the risk of diabetes (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency data). Avoid overeating and consume more low-calorie foods such as vegetables to reduce the calorie intake stored in the body. Dietary fiber found abundantly in vegetables and seaweed contributes to reducing triglycerides and cholesterol in the body.

Calories consumed in the body should be used through exercise; otherwise, they are stored as fat. It is recommended to do moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. Combining strength training is also beneficial. Prompt action is important for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.