BAGUIO CITY(PIA) -- The Department of Health – Cordillera and its partners are reminding the public on the importance of protecting their liver as the country observes Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Prevention Month this January.

The liver  performs  essential functions in the body  such as producing  bile  which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion; filtering and processing chemicals in food, alcohol, and medications; producing cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body, and nutrient storage.

Liver cancer is usually caused by hepatitis infection or cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection and alcoholism.  

Dr. Bernard Demot of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) said hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which causes can be viral, toxic, mediated or metabolic. The most common types are Hepatitis A, B and C.

In 2013, viral hepatitis was the seventh  leading cause of death worldwide. In the Philippines, around 16.7 percent have Hepatitis B and majority were  not aware of their status. Hepa B  remains a major public health concern.

He explained that viral hepatitis, primarily due to hepatitis B and C, if not prevented or detected early for proper treatment,  results to liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, and  may lead to death.

Hepatitis A can be transmitted through feco – oral route (food or drink contaminated with feces of infected person) or through direct contact with an infected person.

Hepatitis B and C have similar  infections that can be transmitted through  body fluids during sexual contacts, unscreened  blood transfusion, and  unsafe injections. It can also be transmitted by an infected mother to the child during birth.  

Demot said Hepatitis A can be cured through supportive management, while for Hepatitis B and C, there are anti – retroviral agents available.

Among the recommended  measures to prevent hepatitis, and lower the risk of liver cancer   include getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, avoid drinking too much alcohol,  practice safe sex,  maintain healthy weight, avoid smoking and regular washing of hands.

Geeny Ann Austria of DOH – CAR   reiterated the importance of hepatitis vaccination especially to newborn babies as having hepatitis infection has a higher burden of disease. Hepatitis vaccine should be given to babies within 24 hours after birth.

Sharing the hepatitis situation in  the Cordillera based on DOH – CAR data,  there  178 acute viral hepatitis cases   recorded in 2023, with the province of Apayao having the most cases at 142, followed by Benguet with 24. Abra, Baguio City, Ifugao and Kalinga have less than five cases each while Mountain Province has no case reported.  Of the cases,  111 were females.

 In terms of age, 53 cases were  below 15 years  old,  51 cases  for the  35 to 54 years old bracket,  24 for the 55 to 69 years old bracket, and 21   15 to 24 years old bracket.

Demot shared that BGHMC has Serology and Clinical Pathology, Radiology Department, Molecular Laboratory, and the Balai HACT Treatment Hub for screening, management and treatment of viral hepatitis and its complications. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)