Did you know that chronic hepatitis – a liver disease that affects 300 million people – is a major risk factor in liver cancer? And did you know that hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination, while modern antiviral medicines can significantly reduce the impact of hepatitis C?
These are among the key messages highlighted by the World Hepatitis Alliance during Liver Cancer Awareness Month (October).
Quick read
- Globally, 1 in 3 people has been infected with the Hepatitis B virus.
- Hepatitis B affects 14 million people in the WHO European Region
- Hepatitis B leads to at least 56% of all liver cancer cases
- 2.1 million cases of liver cancer will be prevented by 2030 and 15 million cases by 2050 if the global hepatitis elimination targets are met
- Increased vaccination, screening and treatment for hepatitis B can prevent the disease from progressing to liver cancer.
Read more: What is hepatitis?
Chronic viral hepatitis, caused by Hepatitis B and C can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for 80% of all liver cancer cases and is the third most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. People diagnosed with chronic hepatitis have a 25-40% risk of developing liver cancer during their lifetimes
Despite this, research by the World Hepatitis Alliance has revealed that 42% of people globally are not aware that hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer.
Read More: Europe plans to eliminate hepatitis B by 2030 ‒ can it be done?
The WHO has set out a strategy to eliminate new cases of viral hepatitis in Europe. This would have a profound impact on rates of liver cancer. Hepatitis B vaccination is a central part of this plan.
In Europe, most countries give hepatitis B vaccines at birth and in the early months of life. To find out about the vaccination programme in your country, visit the ECDC Vaccine Scheduler or ask your local healthcare provider.
Did you know?
The hepatitis B vaccine was the first vaccination to prevent cancer. Two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (one out of three people). Approximately 1.5 million people become newly infected each year. Almost 300 million people are chronically infected. Approximately 10% of infected individuals are diagnosed.
