Increase early detection of hepatitis B
Increase the early detection of hepatitis to reduce liver cancer incidence in Victoria.About hepatitis B and liver cancer in Victoria
Liver cancer is the sixth most common, and fastest growing cause of cancer-related deaths in Victoria, with 450 Victorians losing their life to this disease in 2022. The most common form of liver cancer is Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).
Almost half of all liver cancers in Victoria are linked to a viral hepatitis diagnosis. Hepatitis B can be diagnosed with a simple blood test but there are thousands of Victorians living with the virus who remain undiagnosed.
Recent data from The Doherty Institute’s Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project found that over 58,000 Victorians are living with hepatitis B, almost 20,000 of which do not know they have hepatitis B, increasing their risk of liver cancer.
Of those who have hepatitis B, 71.3 per cent are not linked to care, increasing their risk of a liver cancer diagnosis.
The prevalence of late diagnosis of viral hepatitis for people with liver cancer is high but most people who have received a late diagnosis have been accessing healthcare, presenting an opportunity to increase early detection. A study by the Doherty Institute found that of those who received a late diagnosis of viral hepatitis, 97 per cent had visited a GP during the decade before diagnosis, with a median of 24 visits.
By increasing the offering of hepatitis B testing for those at risk and linkage to care and treatment for those who need it, we can protect more Victorians with hepatitis B from a liver cancer diagnosis.
How you can help
Healthcare professionals play a vital role in recommending hepatitis B testing to their patients and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment and care.
Help to increase early detection of hepatitis B in your community by discussing hepatitis B testing and treatment with your patients.
Understand who is at higher risk of infection
Some population groups are at greater risk of hepatitis B infection and should be encouraged to have a hepatitis B test.
In Victoria, over 95 per cent of hepatitis B attributable HCC were in people born overseas, often from countries where hepatitis B is endemic or without universal access to the vaccine.
Discuss hepatitis B testing with your patients
Both hepatitis B and liver cancer are usually asymptomatic until advanced stages, which means early detection through a blood test is crucial to save lives. Ensure that you are recommending hepatitis B testing for your patients who are at risk.
- Ask patients if they have had a blood test for hepatitis B.
- Where possible and appropriate, refer patients to pathology for a test.
Be mindful of the stigma and barriers which prevent people from participating in testing and care.
Some people living with hepatitis B can face stigma, which can influence everyday life as well as willingness to engage with medical professionals or disclose disease status.
Ensure your hepatitis B patients are receiving follow-up care or treatment
Hepatitis B cannot be cured but it can be managed and treated to reduce the risk of liver damage and cancer.
If your patient has had a positive hepatitis B diagnosis, ask if they are receiving ongoing monitoring.
All patients living with hepatitis B need regular medical checkups, including a blood test and sometimes an ultrasound to check what the virus is doing in their bodies and monitor for signs of liver damage. There is no such thing as a “healthy carrier” of hepatitis B.
Some patients may need medication, and some patients may need to be referred for HCC surveillance.
Find out more about care and treatment pathways for hepatitis B
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.
We have also developed messages in Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese if this is relevant to your community.
Key messages
- Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver, and if left undetected and untreated can increase your risk of liver cancer.
- Hepatitis B can be detected through a simple blood test.
- Hepatitis B is passed through blood or sexual fluids from a person with hepatitis B.
- Most people will get it when they are a baby or a young child; especially people born in places where hepatitis B is common and/or where the hepatitis B vaccine is not available.
- Many people with hepatitis B do not have any symptoms, so it’s important to ask your doctor for a blood test to look for hepatitis B.
- Finding hepatitis B early could save your life.
- Ask your doctor for a blood test today.
Newsletter copy
Share the below newsletter copy to help increase awareness of hepatitis.
Headline: Finding hepatitis B early could save your life
Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver, and if left undetected and untreated can increase your risk of liver cancer.
If found early, hepatitis B can be managed and treated before it can harm your liver. But new data from The Doherty Institute’s Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project has estimated that one in three Victorians living with hepatitis B are yet to be diagnosed, putting them at greater risk of liver cancer.
People born in places where hepatitis B is common and/or without access to the vaccine, are at increased risk of getting hepatitis B.
Often, hepatitis B does not have any symptoms, so it’s important to ask your doctor for a blood test to see if you have the virus.
Finding hepatitis B early could save your life. If you think you might be at risk, ask your doctor for a blood test today.
Book in with the clinic by calling [Your clinic’s phone number].
If you have previously tested positive for hepatitis B, talk to your doctor about regular check-ups and if you may need treatment.
You can learn more about hepatitis B and its link to liver cancer on Cancer Council Victoria’s website.
Social media posts
Sample social media post 1 | Sample social media post 2 |
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Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver and increase your chances of liver cancer. If found early, hepatitis B can be treated, but one in three Victorians with hepatitis B are yet to be diagnosed, increasing their risk of liver cancer. Finding hepatitis B early can save your life. Ask your doctor for a blood test today. Learn more: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
A simple blood test can find hepatitis B early. Hepatitis B is a virus that can increase your risk of liver cancer. But when found early, hepatitis B can be managed and treated before it can damage your liver. If you think you could be at risk, book in today to speak to one of our doctors on [YOUR CLINIC’S PHONE NUMBER]. Learn more: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
Simplified Chinese
Sample social media post 1: English | Sample social media post 1: Simplified Chinese | Sample social media post 2: English | Sample social media post 2: Simplified Chinese |
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Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver and increase your chances of liver cancer. If found early, hepatitis B can be treated, but one in three Victorians with hepatitis B are yet to be diagnosed, increasing their risk of liver cancer. Finding hepatitis B early can save your life. Ask your doctor for a blood test today. Learn more: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
乙型肝炎是一种会影响肝脏并增加肝癌风险的病毒。 如果发现得早,乙型肝炎是可以治疗的,但在维多利亚州,三分之一的乙型肝炎患者尚未被诊断出来,这增加了他们患肝癌的风险。 及早发现乙型肝炎可以挽救您的生命。今天就询问您的医生进行血液检测吧。 了解更多信息:www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
Don't put off getting tested for hepatitis B. [INSERT CLINIC/ORGANISATION] can answer your questions and help book a blood test. Early detection of hepatitis B can save your life. Call us today on [PHONE] Learn more: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
切勿拖延做乙肝检测。我们可以解答您的疑问并帮助您预约验血。及早诊断乙型肝炎可以挽救您的生命。请立即致电 [INSERT CLINIC/ORGANISATION PHONE NUMBER] 与我们联系 了解更多信息:www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
Vietnamese
Sample social media post 1: English | Sample social media post 1: Vietnamese |
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Hepatitis B is a virus that can affect your liver and increase your chances of liver cancer. If found early, hepatitis B can be treated, but one in three Victorians with hepatitis B are yet to be diagnosed, increasing their risk of liver cancer. Finding hepatitis B early can save your life. Ask your doctor for a blood test today. Learn more: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
Viêm gan B là một vi rút có thể ảnh hưởng đến gan của bạn và làm tăng nguy cơ mắc bệnh ung thư gan. Nếu được phát hiện sớm, bệnh viêm gan B có thể được điều trị, nhưng cứ ba người dân Victoria thì có một người mắc bệnh viêm gan B vẫn chưa được chẩn đoán, điều này khiến họ có nguy cơ cao mắc bệnh ung thư gan. Phát hiện sớm bệnh viêm gan B có thể cứu sống bạn. Hãy đến gặp bác sĩ để được xét nghiệm máu ngay hôm nay. Muốn biết thêm: www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/screening/hep-b-liver-cancer @cancervic |
References
1. MacLachlan JH, Romero N, Purcell I, Cowie BC. Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis B National Report 2022. Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia: ASHM; 2024. https://ashm.org.au/vh-mapping...
2. Victorian Cancer Registry data explorer, www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/statistics/data-explorer