I lost my dad to liver cancer in 2013.
There are times throughout the year when that thought creeps back to the forefront of my every thought, and October is one of those times — it’s National Liver Cancer Awareness Month.
Every year, I’m reminded of those difficult weeks that led to his diagnosis and how quickly everything changed. What began as what he thought was knee pain led to a series of hospital visits, misdiagnoses, and missed opportunities for intervention. By the time doctors finally ordered an MRI, the cancer had consumed his liver and spread into the bile duct and throughout his body. He was given just a few months to live, but within weeks, he was gone.
My dad’s name was Jim Burns and he was strong — the kind of man who worked through pain, never complained, and put his family before himself. Not just in his final weeks when he was spending nights in the ER but still make it to work in downtown Cherokee to get ready for the Spring Break rush, but for my entire childhood. He couldn’t not show up for work at his shop in Saunooke Village in the summers during the height of tourist season and as the leaves began to change, he couldn’t afford to miss the rush of the leaf lookers visiting Cherokee, so he ignored signs and warnings and failed to take care of himself, because he was always taking care of us. Looking back, I now understand that what started as something small — an ache, a few painkillers for relief, a loss of appetite — were warning signs that something much larger was happening inside his body. Not only did we miss the early warning signs and symptoms that early intervention could have mitigated, by the time my dad did start seeking medical help, my family lacked the health literacy around liver cancer to effectively advocate on his behalf.
The Hard Truth About Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers in the United States, and it’s often caught late because symptoms are vague — fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the upper abdomen. Symptoms that can be attributed to a dozen other conditions, and like my dad, many people don’t realize they’re at risk until it’s too late. Chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol misuse, obesity, diabetes, and long-term exposure to certain toxins all increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
For many barriers such as lack of understanding, transportation, or trust in the healthcare system can make early detection nearly impossible. But awareness and prevention truly can save lives.
What We Can Do
Get screened.
People with hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other liver conditions should have regular liver imaging and bloodwork. Ask your healthcare provider if you should be screened.
Know your history.
If you’ve ever been exposed to hepatitis C or have risk factors for liver disease, get tested. Hepatitis C is curable with modern treatments — but only if it’s diagnosed.
Limit alcohol and avoid unnecessary medications.
Overuse of alcohol, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can all damage the liver. Always take medicines as prescribed and avoid mixing them with alcohol.
Protect your liver through lifestyle choices.
Maintain a healthy weight, eat balanced meals, and avoid sharing items that can transmit viruses, like razors or needles. Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are also available and effective.
Honoring My Dad by Raising Awareness
As a CIHA employee, I take our Guiding Principle ᏗᏆᏤᎵᎢᏳᏍᏗ (Di qwa tse li i yu sdi) – “like family to me” to heart. Treating this community and our patients the same as I do my own family, I believe that if even one person reads this and decides to make an appointment, get tested, or pay closer attention to their health, then sharing my dad’s story is worth it. My dad can’t be here to tell it himself — but I hope that his story can serve as a reminder that every symptom deserves to be taken seriously and that prevention begins with awareness.
As we close out October, I’ll be thinking of my dad — his laughter, his strength, his faith — and hoping that other families never have to learn what it feels like to lose someone they love to liver cancer.
Take care of your liver. Take care of yourself.
Written by Brittney Lofthouse, Executive Director of Development & Communities Relations