A client is asking the nurse about how individuals get liver cancer. The nurse responds correctly by stating:

Question

1. "The best way to prevent liver cancer is by not drinking alcohol and avoiding high-risk behaviors that increase the chances of contracting hepatitis B and C.".
2. "The best way to prevent liver cancer is to avoid public restaurants, as the cleanliness of the restaurant or the care that is taken in the food preparation cannot be predicted.".
3. "The best way to prevent liver cancer is to catch it early. Liver cancer is easily detected by physical exam.".
4. "The best way to prevent liver cancer is to avoid IV drug use. Using IV drugs has the highest correlation with contracting hepatitis B and C.".

Answer 1

"The best way to prevent liver cancer is by not drinking alcohol, not smoking, and avoiding high-risk behaviors that increase the chances of contracting hepatitis B and C.".

Rationale: Avoiding smoking, alcohol, hepatitis B and C, and other known toxins that can cause liver cancer best prevents liver cancer. Avoiding public restaurants will not eliminate exposure to liver-cancer-causing agents, since hepatitis A is more commonly transmitted at restaurants. Liver cancer, caught early, may help increase the odds of survival, but is not a prevention method. It is also not easily detected by physical exam at an early stage. Avoiding IV drug use is only one method of diminishing the risk factors for liver cancer, and is not inclusive.