Did you know almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); it is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease in the United States; and a segment of those suffering from chronic HCV, or Hep C, will develop liver cancer. Until this morning, I did not know.

But when someone close to you is diagnosed with this disease, numbers do not matter. Even if there were only two people on the planet with this diagnosis and one of the two happens to be someone you love, then it suddenly seems to become the number one disease.

In my preliminary research, I have found that 80 percent of those with Hep C have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are likely to be jaundice; fatigue; dark urine; abdominal pain; loss of appetite and nausea. Skin rashes, extreme itching, muscle wasting and weight loss can also be signs of Hep C. For decades, you can have Hep C and not know it is taking its toll on the liver.

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), a distinct and major characteristic of hepatitis C is its tendency to cause chronic liver disease. At least 75 percent of patients with acute hepatitis C ultimately develop chronic infection, and most of these patients have accompanying chronic liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Those at highest risk for Hep C are intravenous drug users; recipients of clotting factors made before 1987; hemodialysis patients; recipients of blood and/or solid organs before 1992; healthcare workers, and infants born to infected mothers.

The treatments are harsh and can come with severe side effects that cause some to discontinue treatment. New research indicates that smoking marijuana seems to offset some of the adverse side effects of treatment and help those fighting this disease remain on treatment. Hepatitis Central has published an explanation of how Hep C infection can lead to liver cancer with Duke Researchers Show How Hepatitis Infection Leads To Liver Cancer, that I found helpful in understanding the progression of the disease.

As I say, I have just started my research this morning. With a critical eye, I will continue researching until I have exhausted every avenue of information, both conventional and alternative, that I can find. If any of our readers can suggest any resources for Hep C and/ or liver cancer, please leave this information in the comment area.