Latest news with #LiverCancer
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Nigeria takes bold steps toward Hepatitis-free future with World Health Organization (WHO)'s support
The World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the Government of Nigeria and hepatitis stakeholders to raise awareness and promote early diagnosis and treatment for World Hepatitis Day 2025. The global event, observed annually on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis- an inflammation of the liver that can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis includes five types: A, B, C, D, and E. In the WHO African Region, over 70 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B or C, but fewer than 10% are diagnosed or treated. Nigeria, with 325,000 new infections in 2022, ranks third globally in hepatitis prevalence. Chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to liver damage and cancer, even though they are preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. This year's theme, 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,' calls for action to remove financial, social, and systemic barriers, including stigma, that prevent hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. For 2025 World Hepatitis Day, WHO joined the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its partners to mark the occasion with a ministerial press briefing at the Federal Secretariat, and launched a three-day hepatitis B screening, on the stop vaccinations for those who test negative, and linkage to treatment programme for those who test positive at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The event at the National Assembly in Abuja brought together health officials, legislators, and the public to address the issue of hepatitis. Addressing journalists at the press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Pate, represented by Dr Godwin Ntadom, Director Public Health Department, FMOH, reiterated Nigeria's commitment to combating hepatitis. He noted that the burden and cost of hepatitis treatment in the country is still very high and, as such, has a huge economic impact on the country and called for collective action in eliminating the disease. Dr Ntadom said, 'hepatitis costs Nigeria between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually in direct and indirect costs. He also announced, 'Project 365,' a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting Hepatitis B transmission by 2030. 'The project will support the ongoing efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, alongside expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through funding, the establishment of the Viral Elimination Fund, tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and legislative support. Nigeria must no longer hold the third-highest hepatitis burden globally. We have the science, we have the strategy, and we will act together, boldly and urgently, toward a hepatitis-free Nigeria, he said. WHO's Acting Representative in Nigeria, Dr Alex Gasasira, represented by Dr Mya Ngon, cluster lead for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) praised Nigeria's triple elimination initiative for HIV, hepatitis, and STIs, and emphasized the importance of reducing treatment costs, boosting local production, and expanding screening to achieve healthcare equity. WHO urges Nigeria and other nations to: • Ensure hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth; • Integrate hepatitis testing and treatment into primary healthcare services; • Address stigma and misinformation; • Secure sustainable domestic funding for hepatitis programs; and • Protect the rights of individuals living with hepatitis, especially in healthcare and employment. She reiterated WHO's commitment to supporting Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its health systems and expand access to affordable diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. A beneficiary of the screening, Fash Yommie, 53, from Abuja, shared that he took the test to know his status. 'I took the test to know my status, and I am relieved to have tested negative. I now understand the importance of hepatitis prevention. I will start taking precautionary measures, such as avoiding sharing needles and ensuring proper hygiene with food and water, to protect myself and my loved ones from infection. I encourage everyone to get tested and vaccinated, as early detection is key to preventing this disease. "Early detection and vaccination are crucial in preventing the spread of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infected blood or fluids, hepatitis C via blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles, and hepatitis A and E through contaminated food or water. Nigeria has enhanced hepatitis B prevention by adding the vaccine to the national schedule, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and partners, to vaccinate all newborns and children and reduce early transmission. This year's activities reflect the broader goal of integrating hepatitis services into Nigeria's primary healthcare system, making screening and treatment more accessible to vulnerable populations. The National Assembly event is part of WHO's ongoing collaboration with Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage and align with the 2030 Global Health Agenda. Through national and local partnerships, WHO supports Nigeria in reducing the hepatitis burden and improving public health outcomes. The three-day screening serves as a reminder that hepatitis is preventable, and everyone has a role in raising awareness and preventing its spread. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Nigeria.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Health expert on the risk factors for liver cancer
Liver cancer cases are projected to increase significantly, from 0.87 million in 2022 to 1.52 million by 2050, according to a Lancet Commission on Liver Cancer report. Rising obesity rates are a major contributing factor, with the proportion of liver cancer cases linked to obesity expected to double from 5 per cent to 11 per cent. Around three out of four cancers that start in the liver are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which frequently develops in livers scarred by conditions such as excessive alcohol consumption or Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Early stages of liver cancer often show no symptoms, but advanced signs include jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue, with diagnosis typically involving ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans. Treatment options are diverse, ranging from curative surgeries like liver resection, transplant, or ablation for early detection, to other methods such as chemoembolisation for more advanced cases.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
3 Out of 5 Liver Cancer Cases Are Preventable, Study Finds
Liver cancer kills more than 700,000 people a year. But three in five cases could be prevented, according to a comprehensive analysis published on Monday in the journal Lancet. The research found that prevention could be accomplished by addressing the disease's major causes: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-associated liver disease and liver disease linked to metabolic risk factors like obesity. With nearly 900,000 new cases globally each year, liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer. If cases continue to rise at the current rate, the number of new annual diagnoses will almost double, rising to 1.5 million globally in 2050, the study predicted. The researchers estimated that liver disease from alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction together would account for nearly one-third of new liver cancer cases by then. The findings align with what liver specialists have seen in their clinics for years. 'Liver cancer is common, it causes immense suffering and death, and the saddest part for me as a physician is that most of the cases are preventable,' said Dr. Brian P. Lee, an associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, who was not involved in the study. Improved screening, vaccination and treatment in recent years have helped stem viral hepatitis, especially in the United States. But the threat of liver cancer from heavy alcohol use and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 'has been underrecognized and underestimated,' said Dr. Ahmed Kaseb, a professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who was not associated with the study. A 'Highway' to Liver Cancer A vast majority of liver cancers arise in people with cirrhosis, said Dr. Hashem El-Serag, the chair of the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and one of the authors of the new study. Cirrhosis, or advanced and largely irreversible scarring of the liver, damages healthy tissue and prevents the organ from working normally. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
4 days 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.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Obesity to fuel rise in liver cancer cases
The number of new liver cancers around the world will rise from 0.87 million in 2022 to 1.52 million in 2050, according to projections published as part of a new Lancet Commission on Liver Cancer paper. Researchers said that the proportion of liver cancers caused by the most common cause of liver cancer – the hepatitis B virus – are set to reduce over the coming years. Cases caused by the hepatitis C virus are also expected to decline proportionately. But in contrast, liver cancer cases caused by alcohol and obesity are set to increase. Experts predicted that by 2050 some 21% of liver cancers will be caused by alcohol. And 11% will be caused by a severe form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) – formerly known as fatty liver disease, where fat builds up in a person's liver. The severe form of this condition is called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. The research team point out that 60% of liver cancers are preventable. They said that global deaths from liver cancer are expected to rise from 760,000 in 2022 to 1.37 million in 2050. 'These data suggest that preventive measures targeting a comprehensive number of risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma are sorely needed,' the team of experts led by academics in Hong Kong wrote. 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. #BetterHealth offers a range of free NHS apps to help people eat better and get active, including the NHS Weight Loss Plan app. Data shows it can help people lose 5.8kg on average over just 12 weeks. Find out more: — NHS London (@NHSEnglandLDN) July 25, 2023 'It is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with five-year survival rates ranging from approximately 5% to 30%. 'We risk seeing close to a doubling of cases and deaths from liver cancer over the next quarter of a century without urgent action to reverse this trend.' First author, Professor Stephen Chan, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, added: 'As three in five cases of liver cancer are linked to preventable risk factors, mostly viral hepatitis, alcohol and obesity, 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 cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK, and just 13% 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. '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. '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 2022, some 64% of adults in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity.
