AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Cancer is a non‐communicable disease responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year globally.[1] In particular, liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer‐related death globally, with morbidity and mortality rates accounting for 6% and 9% of the global cancer burden, respectively.[2] Biomarkers have been used extensively for early cancer diagnosis to reduce incidence rates and cancer‐related deaths.[3] For instance, increased serum levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP)—a biomarker of primary liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma—may indicate liver cancer.