Groundbreaking research reveals diagnostic delays, stigma, and systemic gaps in care for individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 12, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — A new qualitative study published on medRxiv offers critical insights into the lived experiences of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer. The research highlights the numerous barriers these patients face, including delayed diagnoses, fragmented care, social stigma, and financial hardship.
Conducted by Michelle Liu and Matthew Loxton of the Blue Faery, the study introduces a novel three-part measurement framework to better understand patient experiences. Key areas identified include the role of patient education and self-advocacy, the use of medical records in care navigation, and the availability of integrated support services such as dietitians, palliative care providers, and mental health counselors.
One of the study’s central findings is the pervasive delay in diagnosis and treatment. These delays are often linked to the subtle and nonspecific early symptoms of liver cancer, as well as gaps in primary care recognition and referral pathways. As a result, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited.
Stigma associated with liver cancer, particularly due to its links to alcohol use and hepatitis infections, also compounds patient distress, often leading to social isolation and discrimination. The study further highlights that socioeconomic disparities heavily influence access to care, with financially constrained patients facing greater challenges in receiving timely and effective treatment.
The authors emphasize the urgent need for systemic reforms, including public awareness campaigns, streamlined diagnostic pathways, and expanded access to supportive services. This research marks a significant step toward reshaping liver cancer care through a more compassionate, comprehensive, and patient-centered approach.
Blue Faery’s mission is to prevent, treat, and cure primary liver cancer through research, education, and advocacy. Blue Faery hosts an online Liver Cancer Community for patients and caregivers. Blue Faery provides free comprehensive patient education with its Patient Resource Guides for Liver Cancer. Blue Faery has three public education and awareness programs: Love Your Liver, The Truth About Liver Cancer, and You and Liver Cancer.
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