Latest news with #StephenChan
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
The tables have turned. Restaurant workers offer 8 ways to be a better guest.
Advertisement In the interest of fairness, I'm turning the tables this week. Here's what professionals wish that we, the dining public, did better. Take note. Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up Don't ghost. Can't make your reservation? Please, have the kindness to cancel. Showing up with a smaller party than expected? Also let the restaurant know in advance, so they can open up more seats to other reservations. 'Guests don't realize how important it is to restaurants to call and cancel your reservation if you are unable to keep it, especially with smaller restaurants,' says Think of it this way: 'What would happen if you planned a dinner party in your home, friends RSVP'd, you prepared the food and were ready to put it all in the oven, and no one came? That's what happens every night in the restaurant business,' says Advertisement Treat your server like a human, not a robot. Lots of industry professionals complained about customers who greet a friendly 'hello' with a response like 'Diet Coke!' or 'two tacos to go.' 'It would be nice if all patrons started with, 'Hello; how are you doing?' instead of just barking their orders when approached,' says Steven Peljovich from Michael's Deli in Brookline, speaking on behalf of many. Enjoy the spread, but don't spread out. Basically, don't treat a dining room as your own Offer specific feedback. Instead of absentmindedly saying that a dish is 'good,' consider this your chance to play amateur food critic. Adore the vinaigrette? Think there's a little too much garlic in the sauce? Say so, concisely and conversationally. It all helps the kitchen. 'While we always appreciate hearing that 'everything is good,' more detailed and specific feedback goes a long way in helping us grow. Insights on the quality of food, drinks, or service allow us to better understand what's working well and where there's room for improvement. Your input directly helps us create a more enjoyable and memorable experience for all our guests moving forward,' says Stephen Chan, who owns Advertisement See an empty booth? Prefer it over your own? The restaurant isn't trying to torture you. There might be a very good reason that it's unoccupied. Shown here, a prime spot at Contessa. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Don't assume any table is yours for the taking. See an empty booth? Prefer it over your own? The restaurant isn't trying to torture you. There might be a very good reason that it's unoccupied, such as an impending bridal shower or a business meeting. 'While it's certainly OK to ask [for a different table], not every empty table is available; the team might be working to manage seating arrangements for the evening for all the parties that are expected to come in that night,' says Adam Resnick, chef at Specify allergies with your reservation. This gives everyone — you and the restaurant — peace of mind. But it also offers the restaurant a chance to surprise and delight. 'Recently a woman reached out to me with many allergies. I was able to print a menu specifically for her and she told me through tears in her eyes that she'd never had so many options at a restaurant. Help us give you that level of experience. Reach out in advance with your allergies. Help us keep you safe,' urges Abigail Taylor, who manages North Cambridge's Please parent your children. Yes, even outside. In composing this piece, I fielded several tales of kids running wild al fresco. Remember: Patios are an extension of the dining room, not after-hours summer camp. Advertisement 'A patio area is outside, but that doesn't mean it's a playground. It's dangerous for both kids and staff, and distracting to other diners trying to enjoy a night out. For some reason, many parents still don't understand this, though it seems like common sense,' says a Jamaica Plain restaurateur who asked to remain nameless (perhaps for obvious reasons). 'Really, I don't want your kid cracking their head open on the concrete steps. Then, if we have to intervene, we get complaints about being 'hostile to families.'' Relatedly, please include babies in reservation numbers, even if they'll slurp milk, not martinis. 'Your child or infant is a human and should count as such when making a reservation. ... They are taking space, and we need to know,' one server says. Critique in person, not online. Catty online reviews won't improve your dining experience in real time, and they can make or break a business. Instead, offer feedback in the moment, both to give the restaurant a chance to make things right — and to preserve their reputation. After all, how would you like it if colleagues could leave Yelp! reviews after a boring work meeting or friends could anonymously ring in on TripAdvisor about your messy car? 'Almost all restaurants would rather try to improve your experience in person, hear your feedback, understand it, and learn from it and have you leave happy, as opposed to reading about it after the fact online. At that point, there are limited options left to a business to make you feel whole once you have left the building,' says Marc Sheehan from Canton's Advertisement South End restaurateur Jack Bardy (The Beehive, Kara Baskin can be reached at
UPI
29-07-2025
- Health
- UPI
Most liver cancers are preventable, study says
July 29 (UPI) -- Liver cancer: In most cases, it doesn't have to happen, a new global study finds. Research suggests that 60% of cases of this often deadly disease are preventable by avoiding or treating big risk factors. Those risk factors include viral hepatitis infection, alcohol misuse or a dangerous, obesity-linked buildup of fat in the liver. The finding highlights "a huge opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent cases of liver cancer and save lives," said study first author Dr. Stephen Chan of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His team issued its findings Monday in a special report on liver cancer published by The Lancet. As Chan's team notes, liver malignancies rank as the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths. Some countries are being hit much harder than others: China, in particular, is burdened with more than 40% of the world's liver cancer cases, largely due to widespread hepatitis B illness. Without further intervention, cases of liver cancer are expected to nearly double globally by 2050 to more than 1.5 million cases annually, the report found. When cancer affects the body's blood-cleansing organ, it can be very difficult to treat. "It is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5% to 30%," noted report co-author Dr. Jian Zhou of Fudan University in China. "We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a century without urgent action to reverse this trend." Many cases of liver cancer can be avoided. One preventable cause is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD -- a slow, steady buildup of fat within the liver, often tied to obesity. Up to a third of people worldwide have some level of MASLD, according to the researchers, and as obesity rates rise, cases of the condition are expected to follow suit. By 2040, it is projected that 55% of Americans will have MASLD, upping their odds for liver cancer, the report's authors said. "Liver cancer was once thought to occur mainly in patients with viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease," noted report co-author Dr. Hashem El-Serag of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "However, today rising rates of obesity are an increasing risk factor for liver cancer, primarily due to the increase in cases of excess fat around the liver." On the other hand, inroads made against viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) mean their impact on liver cancer rates are waning. The authors note in a journal news release that "the proportion of liver cancer cases linked to HBV is expected to decrease from 39% in 2022 to 37% in 2050, while HCV-related cases are projected to drop from 29% to 26% over the same period." Better efforts to vaccinate against hepatitis B and screen for (and treat) hepatitis C could drive down liver cancer rates even further, the team said. Diagnosing and treating MASLD would also help. "One approach to identify patients at high risk of liver cancer would be to introduce screening for liver damage into routine healthcare practice for patients at high risk of MASLD, such as individuals living with obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease," El-Serag said in the news release. Better advocacy around healthy diets and regular exercise can also help, he added. Even cutting liver cancer cases by 2% to 5% per year could mean that 9 million to 17 million new cases of liver cancer could be prevented worldwide by 2050. That translates to up to 15 million lives saved, the report's authors said. More information Find out more about MASLD and liver cancer at the Fatty Liver Alliance. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Arab Times
29-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
New study finds 60% of liver cancer cases are preventable
LONDON, July 29: Liver cancer is poised to become a significantly larger global health challenge, particularly affecting younger adults, with cases expected to double by 2050, experts warn. Previously viewed mainly as a disease impacting older individuals with hepatitis infections or alcohol dependency, liver cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s. A major new analysis published in The Lancet attributes this shift to the rise in obesity and related liver conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The report predicts new liver cancer cases worldwide will increase from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, with annual deaths rising from 760,000 to 1.37 million during the same period. One of the fastest-growing causes is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of fatty liver disease linked to obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The proportion of liver cancers connected to MASH is expected to more than double — from 5% in 2022 to 11% in 2050. Cases caused by the most common causes of liver cancer — the hepatitis B and C viruses—are predicted to decline. However, cases related to obesity and alcohol consumption are expected to increase. By 2050, over a fifth of liver cancer cases will be attributed to alcohol, while one in ten will be caused by severe MASLD, formerly known as fatty liver disease. This condition occurs when fat accumulates in the liver and is closely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Hong Kong emphasized that 60% of liver cancer cases are preventable. Their findings underscore the urgent need for preventative measures against liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma. The primary treatment for MASLD involves maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in physical activity, and potentially losing weight. "Liver cancer is a growing health issue worldwide," said Professor Jian Zhou, chairman of the Commission from Fudan University in China. "It is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from about 5% to 30%. Without urgent action, we risk nearly doubling the number of cases and deaths over the next 25 years." Professor Stephen Chan, lead author of the study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, added: "There is a significant opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent liver cancer cases, and save lives." Pamela Healy, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, commented on the study: "Liver cancer is the fastest-rising cause of cancer death in the UK, with only 13% of people diagnosed surviving for five years or more. The main risk factors are pre-existing liver cirrhosis or viral hepatitis, and this analysis highlights that MASLD, also known as fatty liver disease, is linked to an increasing number of cases." Liver cirrhosis is a progressive condition that can lead to liver failure if untreated, characterized by permanent scarring due to long-term damage. "Along with improving early detection through monitoring those with cirrhosis, it is vital to address the underlying causes and prioritize public health efforts," Healy said. "By helping people maintain a healthy weight, reduce alcohol intake, and get tested and treated for hepatitis, many liver cancer cases can be prevented." In the UK, there is growing urgency to tackle the obesity crisis to ease pressure on the National Health Service. Recent data shows nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, with an additional 260,000 people joining this group last year. Meanwhile, more than a quarter (26.5%)—about 14 million people—are classified as obese. Last month, GPs were authorized to prescribe weight loss injections, known as GLP-1s, for the first time to address the crisis. Approximately 1.5 million people are currently using these injections through the NHS or private clinics, with millions more eligible. However, pharmacists have warned that the rising demand may become unsustainable.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
‘Three out of five liver cancer cases preventable'
Three in five liver cancer cases happen due to preventable risk factors including fatty liver, alcohol, and viral hepatitis, according to a latest analysis done by The Lancet Commission on liver cancer published on Monday, which also adds obesity-linked cancer cases are on the rise. Liver cancer is already a major cause of death and disability. (Representative file photo) The majority of liver cancer cases can be prevented by reducing levels of viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease – previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), it said. Liver cancer is already a major cause of death and disability. Globally, it's the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Previous analyses have predicted that the number of new liver cancer cases will nearly double from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.52 million in 2050, primarily due to population growth and ageing populations, with the largest increases expected in Africa. The number of deaths from liver cancer is predicted to grow from 760,000 in 2022 to 1.37 million in 2050, according to the analysis. 'Liver cancer is a growing health issue around the world. It is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5% to 30%. We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a century without urgent action to reverse this trend,' said Prof Jian Zhou of Fudan University in China, in a statement. The Commission highlights several ways to reduce these risks factors, including increasing the coverage of the hepatitis B vaccine and public health policies targeting obesity and alcohol consumption. 'As three in five cases of liver cancer are linked to preventable risk factors, mostly viral hepatitis, alcohol and obesity, there is a huge opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent cases of liver cancer and save lives,' said first author, Stephen Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong. Changes in the causes of liver cancer The Commission estimates that at least 60% of liver cancers are preventable via control of modifiable risk factors, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus HCV, MASLD, and alcohol. The rate of MASLD-linked liver cancer is expected to rise over the next decade, particularly in the US, Europe, and Asia, due to increasing rates of obesity. MASH, a severe form of MASLD, is the fastest growing cause of liver cancer globally, followed by alcohol. The Commission projects that the proportion of liver cancer cases associated with MASH is projected to increase from 8% in 2022 to 11% in 2050, and liver cancer cases associated with alcohol , from 19% in 2022 to 21% in 2050. In contrast, the proportion of liver cancer cases linked to HBV is expected to decrease from 39% in 2022 to 37% in 2050, while HCV-related cases are projected to drop from 29% to 26% over the same period. Also Read:7000 is the new 10,000 steps, finds study 'Liver cancer was once thought to occur mainly in patients with viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease. However, today rising rates of obesity are an increasing risk factor for liver cancer, primarily due to the increase in cases of excess fat around the liver,' said commission author, Prof Hashem B El-Serag, Baylor College of Medicine, US. Global targets and recommendations The Commission estimates that if countries can reduce the incidence of liver cancer cases by 2 - 5% each year by 2050, it could prevent nine to 17 million new cases of liver cancer and save eight million to 15 million lives. As more patients live with liver cancer than ever before, in addition to prevention efforts, there is an urgent need for increased research and attention for these patients to improve their quality of life, said the authors. The Commission suggested several strategies for reducing the global burden of liver cancer, including gvernments intensifying efforts to increase HBV vaccination, implementing universal HBV screening for adults 18+, alongside targeted HCV screening in high-risk areas based on cost-effectiveness. Policy makers should enact minimum alcohol unit pricing, warning labels, and advertisement restrictions for alcoholic beverages; national health authorities and cancer control programmes should prioritise investments in public awareness campaigns and deployment of early detection resources; professional organisations and the pharmaceutical industry should work together to reduce differences between Eastern and Western regions of the world in the clinical management of liver cancer, read some of the other recommendations. 'It has been well-established that fatty liver can lead to life-threatening complications. There has been an increase in cases, which is worrisome,' said Dr Pramod Garg, head of gastroenterology, AIIMS, Delhi, during a briefing on fatty liver on Monday.
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Business Standard
29-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Many liver cancer cases can be prevented by addressing hepatitis: Study
More than three of every five liver cancer cases in the world can be prevented by addressing risk factors, such as hepatitis, alcohol habits and non-alcoholic fatty liver conditions, according to an analysis report of The Lancet Commission on the fatal disease. Researchers from The Hong Kong Cancer Institute, Fudan University, and others in China, South Korea, the US and Europe authored the report. The team predicted a 35 per cent increase in liver cancer driven by a severe form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease that is caused by excess fat in the liver and called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Liver cancer is among the top three types of cancer deaths in 46 countries, according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Hepatology. The Lancet Commission's findings present a huge opportunity for countries to target risk factors such as viral hepatitis, alcohol and obesity to prevent liver cancer and save lives, said first author Stephen Chan, a professor at the department of clinical oncology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The authors of the report said that an increased public, medical and political awareness on the rising risk of fatty liver conditions, with a focus on people having diabetes and obesity, especially in the US, Europe and Asia, is needed. A growing population, combined with an increasing prevalence of risk factors, is expected to drive a rise in cases of liver cancer globally, with studies projecting an around 55 per cent rise in such cases by 2040. The commission report sets a target of reducing yearly cases by two per cent to five per cent -- potentially preventing up to 17 million liver cancer cases and up to 15 million deaths, it said. Intensified efforts to increase vaccination and screening for hepatitis B and C, along with policies restricting alcohol consumption, are among the strategies that the report recommends. It also suggested an increased investment by national health authorities and cancer control programmes in public awareness campaigns and early detection of cases. Palliative (pain-related) care training should be provided to staff at hospitals and professional organisations, and should be integrated in the early phases for patients in need, the report said. "We estimated that at least 60 per cent of liver cancers are preventable via control of modifiable risk factors, including (hepatitis B virus), (hepatitis C virus), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and alcohol," the report stated.
