Adventist Health Education – The Fight Against Liver Cancer Starts with Hepatitis B Prevention! Vaccination and Regular Screening Are Key!
Hepatitis B and liver cancer are common yet often overlooked health issues in Hong Kong. As one of the top ten cancers locally, liver cancer sees over a thousand new cases each year, with hepatitis B being the leading cause. Around one in ten Hong Kong residents are carriers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), though most show no obvious symptoms.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus and transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to child. Once infected, the virus can remain dormant in the liver, turning into a chronic infection that gradually damages the liver. This can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually, liver cancer.
Hepatitis B carriers should undergo check-ups every six months, including blood tests (for viral load, liver function, and tumor markers), abdominal ultrasounds, and CT scans. Early detection can significantly improve the chances of recovery. Current antiviral medications can effectively suppress the virus, reduce liver inflammation, and lower the risk of liver cancer. However, long-term medication and regular monitoring are necessary.
Prevention is crucial. Those who are not infected should get vaccinated. Since 1988, the hepatitis B vaccine has been included in Hong Kong’s childhood immunization program. Adults who were not vaccinated can still receive the three-dose series. As early-stage hepatitis B often shows no symptoms, by the time signs such as jaundice, abdominal bloating, swelling, or weight loss appear, the disease is usually in an advanced stage.
Carriers should actively protect their liver through regular screenings, ongoing treatment, and vaccination to stay safe from the threat of liver cancer.
