X-ray shows why single bite of popular Thai dish can give you liver cancer

In the Thai provinces of Khon Kaen and Isaan there's a popular but potentially deadly dish which can result in a person developing fatal liver cancer with just one bite.

Known as koi pla, it's a plate of minced raw fish mixed with herbs, spices and lemon juice.

Unfortunately, the raw fish can be full of parasitic creatures which can give people liver cancer.

According to the BBC, the regions of Thailand where koi pla is popular have abnormally high levels of liver cancer and that studies of the disease found that in some communities up to 80 percent of people had the parasites that could lead to it, though the cancer didn't usually develop until after the host was 50.

X-rays of patients show the impact that eating koi pla has had on the bodies of patients and how it can end up killing them.

In some cases children as young as four years old had the parasites.

It's a dangerous dish, but some people don't want to change their eating habits (BBC)

Research on the parasites found that they can make chemicals that trigger the immune system response in their host, which can cause inflammation, which then becomes chronic and develops into cancer.

Dr Narong Khuntikeo, from Thailand, has been working to fight against the dangerous delicacy after both his parents tragically died from liver cancer after consuming it.

"It’s a very big health burden around here," the liver surgeon told Agence France-Presse.

He continued: "But nobody knows about this because they die quietly, like leaves falling from a tree."

The 'silent killer' disease has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers if left untreated by surgery.

Dr Khuntikeo, joined by scientists, doctors and anthropologists, have spent years testing villagers from the Isaan region for the parasite.

Using ultrasound machines and urine testing kits, the doctor found that as much as 80 percent of inhabitants from some communities were found to have ingested the deadly parasite.

The dangerous dish kills thousands of people every year. (Wikimedia Commons)

While he's trying to spread information and warnings over the koi pla dish - alongside local health officials have introducing a school curriculum geared at teaching children about the risks of raw foods - Dr Khuntikeo has said he's faced issues with the older generation.

"They’ll say: 'Oh well, there are many ways to die'," the health professional said.

"But I cannot accept this answer."

Those who don't want the potentially deadly dish to change despite the health risk have claimed that cooking the dish, which is the best way to kill the parasite, spoils the taste.

One might argue that the prospect of fatal liver cancer might make for a more off-putting meal.

Additional words by Britt Jones.