Can Bile Duct Cancer Be Prevented?

There's no known way to prevent most bile duct cancers in the US. Many of the known risk factors for bile duct cancer, such as age, ethnicity, and bile duct abnormalities, are beyond our control. However, there are things you can do that might help lower your risk.

Diet and physical activity

Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is one important way you might be able to reduce your risk of bile duct cancer, as well as many other types of cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people try to stay at a healthy weight, keep physically active, and follow a healthy eating pattern. This includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting or avoiding red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods.

Learn more: American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention.

Other ways to reduce your risk

Other ways you might be able to reduce your risk of bile duct cancer include:

• Get vaccinated: Get vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to prevent infection with the virus and the cirrhosis it can cause.
• Prevent infections: Take precautions to avoid blood-borne or sexually transmitted infections like HBV, hepatitis C, and other viruses that can cause cirrhosis.
• Treat hepatitis: Treat hepatitis infections (such as B and C) to help prevent cirrhosis.
• Avoid or limit alcohol: If you do drink, have no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men.
• Quit (or don’t start) smoking. (Learn more.)
• Avoid exposure to chemicals: Protect yourself against exposure to certain chemicals (see Risk Factors for Bile Duct Cancer).
• Take precautions when you travel: If you travel to parts of the world where liver flukes are common, drink only purified water and eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked.