Kenya: liver cancer alert, obesity and junk food implicated

An alarming report published by The Lancetone of the most respected medical journals in the world, sounds the alarm: liver cancer progresses at a disturbing speed, especially in Kenya. Meanwhile, Three out of five cases would be linked to avoidable risk factors.

Among them: hepatitis B. Therefore, C, alcohol, but above all an increased pathology: metabolic hepatic steatosis, or masld, linked to modern food.

In rural areas. Moreover, urban areas of the country, the growing consumption of ultra-transformed products, rich in sugar and fat, feeds a flambé of liver diseases. Meanwhile, According to Dr Ahmed Kalebi. Consequently, principal pathologist to Dr Calabi Labs“Metabolic liver disease becomes a poor man’s disease because the most affected people are those that consume unhealthy foods without knowing the risks. Fanta, coca and bread become a classic, harmful lunch. It was once considered that a kenya: liver cancer alert, obesity round belly symbolized wealth. Today is the opposite. This speech must be changed. »»

The phenomenon does not spare the continent. Julie Norman. political scientist associated with UCL, note: “Africa is not immune to the epidemic of obesity, because of the westernization of its lifestyle. We combine old risk factors and new ones linked to globalization. »»

By 2050, The Lancet provides for a 75 % increase in liver cancer cases worldwide, from 830,000 to 1.52 million per year. The number of deaths could reach 1.37 million, if no targeted prevention policy is engaged.

Faced with this silent health emergency. experts call to intensify vaccination against hepatitis B, to regulate advertising for processed products, and to promote a local, balanced and accessible food. The fight against liver cancer could well be won … on the plates.