Hepatitis B causes 25pc liver cancer

Says Hepatology Society study

19 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

About 25 percent of the liver cancer cases are caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a study by Hepatology Society, Bangladesh revealed yesterday. Hepatologists said most of the newborn HBV infections are transmitted from mothers infected with the virus during the last trimester of the pregnancy. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, marking the World Hepatitis Day, they called upon the people from all walks of life to aware about the dangerous turn of hepatitis viruses, which are blamed for liver failure, cirrhosis and cancer. Prof Mobin Khan, chairman of hepatology department at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), National Professor Nurul Islam and Prof AKM Khorshed Alam, president of the hepatology society, also spoke. The speakers said the hepatitis B and C viruses are mainly transmitted through blood. Uses of infected syringes and needles, circumcision and shaving at barber shops are the other routes of transmission of the viruses. They said, “Precaution is the only measure to get saved from the HCV infection.” The hepatologists said of the patients admitted to hospitals with acute hepatitis and jaundice, 43 percent are caused by hepatitis E virus, 22 percent by B virus, 8 percent by A virus and 3 percent by C virus. The society leaders also said one third of the rural population are being exposed to hepatitis B virus during their lifetime. The vaccine for HBV is available everywhere in the country and it may be given to all age groups to save them from liver diseases. The vaccine for hepatitis C is yet to be discovered. The day was observed yesterday across the world with a slogan "Am I number 12?" with the aim to increase awareness of the shocking statistic that one in 12 people on the planet are living with hepatitis B or C. Liver Foundation of Bangladesh organised a seminar to mark the day, which was followed by a free hepatitis B and C viruses screening programme at the Bangladesh National Museum in the city. Speaking as the chief guest, Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostafa Shaheed said the people should be aware of the diseases, which silently kill the infected persons. Association for the Study of the Liver, Bangladesh and Viral Hepatitis Foundation jointly organised a discussion on the occasion at Shaheed Dr Milon Hall at the BSMMU.