Primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma is also called HCC for short. HCC is a cancer that starts IN your liver. It's different from secondary liver cancers, which have spread to the liver from other organs. HCC often is a fatal disease and the more you know, the more you can do to prevent it.

Your liver doesn't have pain receptors. That is why liver cancer is often diagnosed in later stages. Although many cases of liver cancer are preventable, most symptoms go undetected and overlooked. Symptoms of liver disease can vary. It’s important to know what to look out for and when a symptom may be a sign of something more serious.

Liver diseases fall into four categories: viruses, lifestyle choices, environment, and rare genetic disorders.

Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions. Each time your liver is injured, it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening, but there are steps you can take to keep your liver healthy and avoid this disease.

The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself. The liver can develop new cells when it’s in a healthy state. However, there are ways you can damage your liver so badly, its superpowers end.

Your liver is vital to your metabolic, detoxification, and immune systems. It takes care of all your body’s functions. Your liver eliminates toxins, stores 10 percent of your blood, and cleans 3 pints of blood every minute.

At three pounds and at the size of a football, the largest organ in your body is your liver. It’s located near the upper right part of your abdomen, under your ribs.

This February, help us spread awareness and increase prevention and early detection of liver cancer and disease. Together, we will discover the action steps you can take to improve your liver knowledge and your health.