Eliminating hepatitis B and preventing liver cancer in Wyndham

• Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that affects the liver. A simple blood test can detect it.
• If undetected and unmanaged, long-term infection with hepatitis B can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Vaccination prevents hepatitis B. In Australia, all babies are offered the vaccine at birth since 2000.
• Mother-to-child transmission at birth is the most common cause of long-term hepatitis B infection. People born in places where hepatitis B is common such as in parts of Asia, Africa, Southern Europe or the Pacific, and/or where the hepatitis B vaccine is not universally available at birth are at increased risk.
• Over 200,000 Australians live with hepatitis B.
• With regular monitoring, people with hepatitis B can live long, healthy lives.
• Monitoring usually includes a blood test, and sometimes an ultrasound.
• Many people have no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to know if the virus is “asleep” or “awake” and attacking the liver.
• It also helps the doctor work out if the patient requires medicine to keep them well. Without care, up to 1 in 4 people with hepatitis B may develop serious liver disease or liver cancer.

Find out more about hepatitis B and liver cancer on the Cancer Council Victoria website. 

• Wyndham is home to many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, including communities from regions where hepatitis B is more common.
• Local data shows that Wyndham has one of the highest prevalence rates of hepatitis B in Victoria. Around 3100 people live with hepatitis B in Wyndham, and almost 75% are not linked to clinical care.
• Community awareness, stigma, and barriers to healthcare access can make it difficult for people to get tested, monitored, or treated.
• Without coordinated action, many people in Wyndham remain at risk of developing liver cancer due to unmanaged hepatitis B.

The Wyndham project will focus on working with local community leaders and health providers to:

• Increase access to clinical care (regular monitoring) and treatment for residents living with hepatitis B.
• Increase testing and diagnosis for people who are at risk of hepatitis B.
• Reduce stigma and increase community awareness.

Together, we can eliminate hepatitis B and help prevent liver cancer. By working together across council, community, and health sectors, we will save lives, reduce health inequalities, and create a healthier future for all residents.

Your voice and action matter. Thank you for being part of this important journey.

Here are some of the ways you can play a vital role in making elimination possible:

Cancer Council Victoria is inviting people living with or caring for someone with hepatitis B in Wyndham to share their experiences of their local health system.  

By taking part in a confidential interview, you can help improve hepatitis B care and will receive a $100 Coles gift voucher as a thank you for your time.

For more information, please contact Sohan Kabir at sohan.kabir@cancervic.org.au or 0404 461 970.  

Help raise awareness about hepatitis B and its connection to liver cancer through your communication channels or social media using the suggested copy and tiles below. We really appreciate your support.