Mária Szántová
In the developed countries hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is neoplasia with the fastest growing incidence and mortality.
Alcohol (A) is an important risk but at the same time preventable factor (RF) for HCC. In Europe and Slovakia, it is the most
frequent RF for hepatic diseases. Up to 16 % of Europeans and minimum 30 % of Slovaks have a risky A consumption. Alcohol
is a facilitating RF in chronic hepatitis B, C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with other manifestations of
the metabolic syndrome. Alcohol is RF, not only for HCC but also for other neoplasias. While a relative risk of hepatic mortality
due to A (15 standard A units weekly) is 6-times higher, in combination with obesity (BMI over 30) is even 10-times higher.
Overall screening of A consumption has the highest yielding in the youngest age groups (adolescents) together with
the highest rate of preventability. The aim of an early prophylaxis is the implementation of preventable possibilities into
routine practice in out-patient departments of general physicians. The suggested questionnaire about lifestyle presents a
simple and quick possibility for NAFLD and alcoholic liver disease screening and at the same time, it is a tool for prevention.