Latest news with #Hepatitis
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts pinpoint cause of surging rates of liver cancer - as cases surge in under 50s with numbers set to DOUBLE by 2050
Liver cancer is on course to become a far bigger global health crisis—particularly among younger adults—with cases expected to double by 2050, experts have warned. Once seen as a disease affecting mainly older people with hepatitis infections or alcohol dependency, liver cancer is now increasingly being diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s. A major new analysis published in The Lancet links this shift to the rise in obesity and related liver conditions such as MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). The report projects that the number of new liver cancer cases worldwide will jump from 870,000 in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, while annual deaths from the disease are set to rise from 760,000 to 1.37 million over the same period. Experts say one of the fastest-growing causes is MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), a severe form of fatty liver disease tied to obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The proportion of liver cancers linked to MASH is expected to more than double, from 5 per cent in 2022 to 11 per cent in 2050. The number of cases caused the most common cause of the deadly disease—the hepatitis B virus—are set to decline. Similarly, cases caused by the hepatitis C virus are also expected to decline proportionately. However, the number of cases caused by obesity and alcohol are predicted to rise over the same time period. Specifically, over a fifth of liver cancer cases will be caused by alcohol by the year 2050. Meanwhile, one in ten cases will be caused by a severe form of MASLD—formerly known as fatty liver disease. This condition occurs when fat builds up in a person's liver, and is closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The team of researchers, from Hong Kong, highlighted that 60 per cent of cases of the deadly disease are preventable. On their findings, the researchers said they indicate that preventative measures need to be taken for liver cancer, which is also known as hepatocellular carcinoma. The main treatment for MASLD is eating a balanced diet, being physically active and potentially losing weight. 'Liver cancer is a growing health issue around the world,' said Professor Jian Zhou, chairman of the Commission from Fudan University in China. 'It is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5 to 30 per cent. 'We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a surgery without urgent action to reverse this trend.' They study's lead author, Professor Stephen Chan, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, added: 'There is a huge opportunity for countries to target these risk factors, prevent cases of liver cancer and save lives.' Commenting on the study, Pamela Healy, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: 'Liver is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK, and just 13 per cent of people diagnosed will survive for five years or more.' 'We know that the biggest risk factors are having pre-existing liver cirrhosis or viral hepatitis, and this new analysis highlights that MASLD, also known as fatty liver disease, is expected to be linked to an increasing number of cases.' Liver cirrhosis is a progressive disease that can lead to live failure if left untreated—which is when the organ has permanent scarring due to long-term damage. 'As well as improving early detection through surveillance of people with cirrhosis, it is essential that we tackle these underlying causes and prioritise public health,' he added. 'By supporting people to maintain a healthy weight, cut down on alcohol and get tested and treated for hepatitis, we can prevent many cases of liver cancer and save lives.' In the UK, there has been a strong sense of urgency to tackle the UK's growing obesity crisis to alleviate pressures on the National Health Service. According to recent data, nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight, with an extra 260,000 people entering the category last year. Meanwhile, more than a quarter (26.5 per cent)—an estimated 14 million people—were classified as obese. Last month GPs allowed to prescribe weight loss jabs, collectively known as GLP-1s for the first time in a bid to tackle the crisis. An estimated 1.5 million people are now using weight loss jabs through the NHS or private clinics, while millions more are eligible. However, pharmacists today warned that growing demand may become unsustainable.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bengal closer to Hep B elimination, says study
Kolkata: A state-level study in 2024 showed the prevalence of Hepatitis B in children under 5 in Bengal was 0.07%, against the 0.1% target set by WHO, indicating that it is inching closer to Hepatitis B elimination. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While this has been achieved, health officials on World Hepatitis Day on Monday said the state is looking at meeting other benchmarks that will aid in eliminating Hepatitis by 2030. Over the past few years, the state health department took up several measures for early intervention. These include screening pregnant mothers, administering the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth to newborns, and providing immunoglobulin to babies born to a mother who is a carrier of the virus. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, causing damage to the organ. On Sunday, the state director of services, Swapan Saren, presented the current hepatitis scenario in the state, the intervention measures, the improvement, and suggested the way forward to achieve the elimination of the disease by 2030. "With the prevalence of 0.07% among children below five, we have touched one of the benchmarks of control of vertical transmission set by WHO. The state is close to vertical transmission elimination indicators of Hep B. We will be working on meeting other criteria," said public health specialist Pallav Bhattacharya, former state programme officer for the National Viral Hepatitis Programme. According to officials, Bengal so far is the only state to have come out with such data. The national estimate of Hepatitis B prevalence in children below five is pegged at 1.14%. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Health experts said that the chances of a Hepatitis B positive mother transmitting the virus to the newborn are as high as 90%. "At present, all pregnant women attending govt health facilities are screened for hepatitis so we can prevent mother-to-child transmission by administering the vaccine and immunoglobulin for Hepatitis B. We are taking up various other measures to improve our achievement," said Saren. In fact, Bengal is the first and perhaps the only state to start the project on the triple elimination of Hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV. On Monday, the Liver Foundation West Bengal, took to the digital platform to reach out to students of 23 schools in Bengal to raise awareness of viral Hepatitis.
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
Liberia: 'Hepatitis Can't Wait' as Ministry of Health (MOH) Rallies Public for Testing, Awareness During World Hepatitis Day
The Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), on Monday, July 28, 2025, kicked off a nationwide hepatitis-B awareness and testing campaign in observance of World Hepatitis Day. This year's event is celebrated under the global theme 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' with a slogan ' Hepatitis Can't Wait.' The campaign began today with simultaneous and massive free testing at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, the Ministerial Complex, and the NACP office at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor. It seeks to raise awareness, encourage early testing and treatment, and highlight the deadly impact of viral Hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B and C, on Liberians, especially young people. Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Monday, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, issued a passionate appeal to the public to embrace testing as a first step toward defeating the disease. 'We are here today for a very important program. We are celebrating World Hepatitis Week, and today, July 28, is being observed globally as World Hepatitis Day, ' Dr. Howe emphasized. She continued, 'It is good for you to know your status so you can better plan and know how to take good care of yourself. Don't get ill unknowingly. It is always good to know your health status.' Dr. Howe warned against the dangerous culture of health denial and silence in Liberia. 'A lot of us don't want to know our status, which is very bad and dangerous. If you don't know, you won't be able to plan properly, and you won't have someone to treat you properly. That's why today, we are calling upon you to do your free testing so that you can be advised on how to move forward.' According to her, Hepatitis is emerging as a major killer disease in Liberia, with young people most at risk. 'Hepatitis is silently killing many of our young people and is now becoming one of the top killers in Liberia. So please, get tested. Know your status. Call your family. Share the word,' she urged. In continuation of the campaign, free Hepatitis B testing will last up to the 31st of July 2025 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, targeting civil servants, government employees, and the general public. Health workers will be stationed on the grounds to provide testing, counseling, and basic information about Hepatitis B prevention and treatment. The week-long commemoration is not just about testing, but also about breaking the silence and breaking down stigma, which aligns with this year's national slogan, 'Let's Break it Down.' The Ministry hopes to demystify Hepatitis B by educating citizens about its symptoms, transmission routes, prevention methods, and treatment options. World Hepatitis Day is recognized every year on July 28 to honor the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed the first vaccine for it. The day is used to intensify global and national efforts toward Hepatitis elimination, which the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to achieve by 2030. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.
Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Only 3% of Hepatitis B Patients in India Know They Are Infected; Less Than 1% Receive Treatment
'Only 3% of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1% of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,' said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation, during his keynote address at the 'Illness to Wellness' Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on World Hepatitis Day. The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised the conference in New Delhi today, to mark World Hepatitis Day, centred around the theme 'Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis.' The event brought together leading medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to highlight the urgency of tackling India's growing hepatitis burden through policy reform, improved access, and greater public awareness. Speaking to the gathering, Bhushan underscored the need for bold, systemic efforts. He identified five urgent priorities to address the increasing hepatitis cases - expanded screening and surveillance, ensuring timely birth-dose vaccination, decentralisation of treatment access, driving community-level awareness, and using real-time data for action. He also stressed the need for robust partnerships and said, 'Strategic interventions must be driven not only by the government but also through collaboration with civil society, the private sector, public health professionals, and the medical community'. In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, 'Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, the government has launched several impactful initiatives that are combating diseases like Hepatitis. Programs such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Har Ghar Jal Yojana, and Eat Right India are playing a transformative role in improving hygiene, ensuring clean drinking water, and promoting safe food practices, each critical in preventing hepatitis. This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' is a powerful reminder that the fight against hepatitis requires a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that addresses the social, economic, and systemic roots of the disease. Our Foundation is committed to complementing the efforts of the government and further strengthening preventive health awareness across the country.' During the session, health experts highlighted alarming global data that only 45% of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which is a critical gap in prevention. They also emphasised that WHO's 2030 target to eliminate hepatitis, which calls for a 90% reduction in new infections and 80% treatment coverage, hinges on several key strategies: universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, people-centred care, and widespread public awareness to combat stigma. Giving the concluding remarks, Padma Shri Dr. (Prof.) D S Rana, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sir Gangaram Hospital & Member, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, 'I want to thank everyone for attending today's important event. As we heard from the experts, liver failure has no full treatment except liver transplant, and even partial treatments are extremely expensive and inaccessible for most. The reality is that hepatitis is a preventable disease, and prevention is our strongest alternative. Over the past 75 years, medical science has made remarkable progress in understanding such diseases, but the key lies in public awareness and early action. I would like to congratulate the Illness to Wellness Foundation for their continued good work in driving preventive health efforts across the country.' The conference concluded with a call to action: to break the silence, scale the response, and build a hepatitis-free Bharat by 2030.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
World Hepatitis Day: Early symptoms and spread of Hepatitis B
World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and liver cancer. This year's theme is Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down, shows urgency, a prompt action to dismantle the financial, social stigma that is attached to this condition against eliminating it. According to data published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) 304 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B and C since 2022, and 1.3 million people died of it in 2022 itself. Dr. Catharia Beohme, officer-in-charge of the WHO South-east Asia region, clearly stated that Viral hepatitis continues to be a needless suffering among thousands of innocent people, silently attacking our liver, spreading cancer, and causing hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year. She said, 'Across the Region, an estimated 61 million people live with hepatitis B, and 9 million with hepatitis C. Our Region bears one of the highest burdens of chronic viral hepatitis globally, yet most people living with the disease remain undiagnosed and untreated.' this is a global burden we are all suffering under and this needs to be addressed as son as possible. According world hepatitis alliance, Hepatitis is the world's deadliest virus after COVID-19, and more than 300 million people are living with hepatitis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Susan Boyle Is Now so Thin and Looks Beautiful! Undo Surprisingly, it is the leading cause of liver cancer. What is Hepatitis Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver that is caused by infectious viruses and Noninfectious agents, leading to a range of health problems, including severe liver damage and cancer, which we all know how deadly it is. There are 5 major strains of this virus,s namely A, B, C,D and E. While the other is no less than the first, particularly, each of them offer a different kind of liver disease. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis People with hepatitis may or may not exhibit symptoms. Major symptoms include: Fever Malaise Loss of appetite Nausea Diarrhoea Abdominal discomfort Jaundice Dark-coloured urine Specifically, hepatitis B, C, and D can cause liver infection, which can later develop in liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. How to protect ourselves against Hepatitis B and its spread Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term). Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. The vaccine is usually given soon after birth with boosters a few weeks later. It offers nearly 100% protection against the virus. Ways it can be contracted Hepatitis B can commonly spread from mother to her child at birth or through horizontal transmission, especially from an infected child to an uninfected child during the first 5 years of their life. Hepatitis B is also spread by an infected person's needle, tattooing, piercing and exposure to infected blood and body fluids, such as saliva and menstrual, vaginal, and seminal fluids. Transmission of the virus may also occur through the sharing or reuse of contaminated needles and syringes or sharp objects, either in health care settings, in the community or among persons who inject drugs. Sexual transmission is more prevalent in unvaccinated persons with multiple sexual partners. Is it easily diagnosed? Its diagnosis requires a lab test, as its symptoms can mimic other hepatitis symptoms as well. WHO recommends screening in high-prevalence areas, pregnant women, blood donors, and high-risk groups. Only 13% of infected people knew their status in 2022, and 3% were receiving treatment. Coinfection with HIV occurs in about 1% of Hepatitis B cases; treatment for HIV often also treats Hepatitis B (WHO) Hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B remains a significant global health challenge, affecting millions, to reduce this global burden, this is an earnest request to spread as much information about it as possible, as this deadly disease requires a coordinated global action.
