BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - Liver cancer and Hepatitis which remain as among the leading public health concerns globally but health authorities say these are preventable if people maintain healthy lifestyle and keep away from risk factors.
In the Department of Health – Cordillera (DOH – CAR) and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) led Liver Cancer and Acute Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month program and press conference here on January 11, medical specialists highlighted the importance of prevention and awareness in combatting liver diseases.
Hepatology Society of the Philippines President Dr. Angela Salvania shared that Hepatitis B in the Philippines (based on 2003 National Nutrition and Health Survey) has a prevalence rate of 16.7 percent and mostly common among the working age group or young adults.
If no further action is taken, the estimated prevalence rate by 2030 is around 7 percent or 8.7 million Filipinos infected with the hepatitis B virus.
If no further action is taken, the estimated prevalence rate by 2030 is around 7 percent or 8.7 million Filipinos infected with the hepatitis B virus.
Salvania said with Chronic Hepatitis B comes liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. The projected liver related deaths from 2015 to 2023 are expected to increase by 30 percent from 2015 to 2030.
For Hepatitis C, it has smaller prevalence scale and more common to older population. If no action taken, the estimate is around 500,000 – 600,000 people to be infected by 2030. Though smaller in number, it can also cause people’s death, she added.
For liver cancer, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology President Dr. Rosario Pitargue shared that it ranks number 6 in terms of morbidity and ranks number 3 in terms of mortality or death at the global level.
In the Philippines, liver cancer ranks number 4 in terms of morbidity and also number 3 in mortality, among cancer cases.
Dr. Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado, chief of the Department of Health, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau’s Cancer Control Division, affirmed that though the DOH emphasizes primary care approaches, it also focuses on prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle.
On liver diseases prevention, Llevado reminded the public on the importance of the hepatitis B vaccines given within 24 hours after the birth of a child, the screening of mothers (especially pregnant women) to avoid hepatitis transmission to children and other notifiable risk factors.
Meantime, BGHMC Center Director Dr. Ricardo Ruñez, shared that as an APEX Hospital here in the north, the BGHMC now has a liver center and is now working with a hospital in India for the realization of liver transplantation in the hospital.
Ruñez also assured that BGHMC is willing to help other hospitals in this part of the country for improving its health services.
The month of January is being observed in the country as Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month. This year, the celebration adopts the theme “Malusog na Atay, Masayang Buhay”. Through the collaboration of several professional medical societies, month – long scheduled of activities are slated for the health event. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
