This World Hepatitis Day, the British Liver Trust and the World Hepatitis Alliance are calling for urgent action in the UK to address the pressing issue of hepatitis B, a significant risk factor for liver cancer. As a result of a recent survey conducted by the World Hepatitis Alliance, it was revealed that 42% of people globally are unaware of the virus as a leading cause of liver cancer.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Policy at the British Liver Trust, commented: “With more than 200,000 people in the UK affected, with the majority unaware of their condition, shining a spotlight on hepatitis B becomes essential to achieve the same progress made in combating hepatitis C.”
In the UK, due to increased testing and curative treatments, the nation is on track to meet the 2030 elimination goal set by the World Health Organization for hepatitis C. Between 2015 and 2021, there was a 47% decline in hepatitis C cases, however, it is estimated that only 19% of those affected by hepatitis B in the UK have received a proper diagnosis.
Most people living with hepatitis B in the UK were born in a country where the virus is more common and acquired it at birth or as a child. Individuals are also at risk of contracting the virus through any type of sex without a condom or getting a tattoo or piercing with unsterilised equipment.
Amanda, who was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 2019, said: “I’d never heard of Hepatitis B until I was diagnosed, and it was a really, really dark time for me. What worries me is that so many other people are stuck in that darkness too. The important thing to remember is that it can affect anyone, and more than anything I want people to get tested. If I didn’t know I had it and was symptom-free, how many more people are out there living with the infection? I would also tell people not to self-stigmatise and to talk about it.”
This World Hepatitis Day, the British Liver Trust and the World Hepatitis Alliance are urging the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers to unite in the fight against hepatitis B. The goal is to raise awareness, tackle stigma, improve testing and diagnosis rates, and expand access to treatment and care.
Vanessa Hebditch added: “Currently, there is no absolute cure for hepatitis B, but effective treatments can reduce the risk of the virus developing into a more serious liver condition.”
On this World Hepatitis Day, the British Liver Trust and World Hepatitis Alliance are calling for urgent action in the UK to address the pressing issue of hepatitis B, a significant risk factor for liver cancer. A recent survey conducted by the World Hepatitis Alliance revealed that 42% of people globally are unaware of the virus as a leading cause of liver cancer.
In the UK, increased testing and curative treatments have the nation on track to meet the 2030 elimination goal set by the World Health Organization for hepatitis C. However, it is estimated that only 19% of those affected by hepatitis B in the UK have received a proper diagnosis.
Most people living with hepatitis B in the UK were born in a country where the virus is more common and acquired it at birth or as a child. Individuals are also at risk of contracting the virus through any type of sex without a condom or getting a tattoo or piercing with unsterilised equipment.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Policy at the British Liver Trust, commented: “With more than 200,000 people in the UK affected, with the majority unaware of their condition, shining a spotlight on hepatitis B becomes essential to achieve the same progress made in combating hepatitis C. Currently, there is no absolute cure for hepatitis B, but effective treatments can reduce the risk of the virus developing into a more serious liver condition.”
Amanda, who was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 2019, said: “I’d never heard of Hepatitis B until I was diagnosed, and it was a really, really dark time for me. What worries me is that so many other people are stuck in that darkness too. The important thing to remember is that it can affect anyone, and more than anything I want people to get tested. If I didn’t know I had it and was symptom-free, how many more people are out there living with the infection? I would also tell people not to self-stigmatise and to talk about it.”
On this World Hepatitis Day, the British Liver Trust and World Hepatitis Alliance are calling for the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers to unite in the fight against hepatitis B. The goal is to raise awareness, tackle stigma, improve testing and diagnosis rates, and expand access to treatment and care
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.