Hepatitis C and liver cancer

Hepatitis C (hep C) is only passed on through blood-to-blood contact. Hep C is an easily-cured liver infection, caused by the hepatitis C virus. However, if left untreated, hep C can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Does hepatitis C cause liver cancer?

The hepatitis C virus is slow acting, so symptoms might not appear for years. If you have hep C for many years, this can cause long-term liver health problems. The hep C virus causes liver cells to become inflamed. When left untreated, the liver inflammation can cause scarring (cirrhosis) as liver cells die. The liver works hard to replace cells, and the new cells can mutate, becoming cancer cells. This can lead to those cells multiplying and growing into lumps or tumours of liver cancer.

This is why it’s very important to get tested for hep C and cured as soon as possible, to avoid ongoing inflammation that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis C liver cancer risk factors

Having hepatitis C is a major risk factor for developing liver cancer. Hep C is only passed on through blood-to-blood contact, when the blood of someone with hep C gets into someone else’s blood stream. The most common risk factors for hep C are:

Sharing needles and syringes, or any drug injecting equipment.
Backyard and prison tattooing and piercing.

If you have been at risk for hep C, get tested. If you have hep C, get cured to reduce your risk of liver cancer.

People who have cirrhosis should reduce or stop alcohol use to help lower the risk of liver cancer.

Hepatitis C liver cancer symptoms

People showing early signs of liver problems may experience symptoms based upon the stage of their condition. Symptoms may include:

mild pain on the right side of the torso,
feeling tired,
brain “fog”,
swollen abdomen,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
weight loss or loss of appetite.

For more information, please read our Signs & symptoms of liver damage or disease page.

This information is not medical advice. If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Prevention and screening

Having liver cirrhosis increases your risk of liver cancer. If you have cirrhosis, you need to have liver cancer screening appointments every 6 months at a liver clinic. It is very important not to miss any of your appointments because they can detect any cancer tumours, while they are still small.

Liver cancer screening includes blood tests and ultrasounds, which can detect cancer early. Liver cancer can be treated if it is caught early.