A strange pain in the shoulder does not have to be just the result of working out in the gym or bad posture. Doctors warn that it could be something much more serious. Persistent “phantom” pain in the right shoulder can be a little-known warning sign liver cancereven if the hand itself seems perfectly fine, he writes
Liver cancer is one of the fastest growing oncological diseases, and its symptoms are often easily overlooked. dr. Jiri Kubes, medical director of the Proton Therapy Center, explains that this pain is often misunderstood. “Liver cancer can sometimes cause so-called referred or phantom pain, where the discomfort is felt in the shoulder instead of the abdominal cavity,” he explained.
It happens because the liver is located near the nerveswhich are connected to the shoulder, so the irritation can manifest itself elsewhere in the body. The pain usually appears on the right side and may come and go, leading patients to mistake it for a muscle problem from exercise.
Lifestyle factors play a major role in this increase. The biggest risk factors include long-term alcohol consumption, obesity and fatty liver, hepatitis B and C infections, and smoking. Many cases are related to hidden liver damage that develops silently for years.
Other warning signs to look out for include these include feeling full quickly after eating, unexplained weight loss, swelling in the abdominal area and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Since liver cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, recognizing these early and sometimes unexpected symptoms can be key to saving a life.
Although the news about the increase in diseases sounds ominous, doctors also bring a ray of hope. The good news is that a large number of cases of liver cancer are effectively preventable, if we take our health into our own hands. Prevention in this case is not just an empty word, but the real key to longevity.
