Liver Cancer Screening

Regular liver cancer screening by ultasound scan can save lives!

Early detection of liver cancer through regular screening is very important to patients who are at risk since the disease is totally free of symptoms in the early stages. Liver cancer can grow very rapidly and those who are risk require screening every 3-6 months.

Anyone who is suffering from liver cirrhosis or Hepatitis B or C should go for regular ultrasound screening every 3-6 months. This should preferably be complemented with a blood test to measure the level of alpha fetoprotein (a liver tumor marker) in the blood circulation.

About 400 people die from liver cancer in Singapore every year. These lives could be saved if they had gone for regular screening of the liver to detect the cancer early.
There are no symptoms when liver cancer develops in the early stages. Most of these cases are diagnosed when it is already too late. Most of the patients with liver cancer present when the cancer has spread or become too big for surgery.

Early detection of liver cancer through regular ultrasound can double the chances of survival for those who are at risk.
Ultrasound scan is non invasive and the procedure is both safe and comfortable. The entire process takes between 20-30 minutes and it involves running a hand held probe over the right side of the abdomen. The patient will not experience any pain or discomfort.

Ultrasound screening is offered by all hospitals and major large medical centers. The ultrasound screening costs between $90 to $180. This is a small price to pay considering that the cost of treating liver cancer cost over $12,000 and a liver transplant could wipe out $80,000 from your bank account.

Sadly, there are still many Hepatitis B carriers who do not bother to go for regular screening despite the risk of developing liver cancer.

Neglecting to go for regular ultrasound scan to detect liver cancer early could be both costly and fatal for many people.