Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Liver Cancer in Asian Americans: A Preventable Disease

Hello!



I recently attended a Hepatitis B conference sponsored by APAMSA and was surprised to learn that about 1 out of 10 Asian Americans have chronic hepatitis B infections, compared to only 1 out of 1,000 white Americans! I think the statistic speaks for itself. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that disproportionately affects Asian Americans today.


Why so common among Asian Americans? First of all, 90% of Hepatitis B infections were acquired from other countries, and not in the U.S. Thus, Asian immigrants and their descent often carry the disease. Sadly most are unaware of it. People with chronic HBV often show no symptoms. Blood test is the only way of detecting the infection. Chronic Hepatitis B infection can lead to liver cancer.


Because Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease, talking about Hepatitis B is a social taboo in Asian culture. However, sex is not the only method of transmission. People living in developing countries often acquire the disease from their mother at birth.


One of the main speakers at the conference has Hepatitis B. She acquired Hepatitis B from her mother at birth. She was in her mid-40s when she found out. Consequently, she unknowingly passed Hepatitis B to her husband and her three children - all of whom are now at risk of liver cancer....However there is hope!


Treatment for Hepatitis B is now available! Although it is not a complete cure, studies have shown that the new treatment can reduce a patient's risk of developing liver cancer significantly. Unfortunately, most old Asian healthcare providers are unaware of the new treatment and still follow the old rule: “If your liver looks fine, you are fine.” People who have Hepatitis B need to be tested and treated.


I encourage you to check the following article that was published this year! A lot of Hepatitis B awareness (Jade Ribbon Campaign) in the U.S. just started a couple of years ago and is happening now! http://liver.stanford.edu/



Please join the movement by staying informed!



Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Liver Cancer in Asian Americans: A Preventable Disease

JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2008 100(8):528-529

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/100/8/528