Materia Medica Malaysiana

Hepatitis B main cause of liver cancer

Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers among Malaysian men, accounting for 4% of all cancers, according to the Malaysian Liver Foundation.
Foundation vice-president Dr Robert Ding said it was was most common among Chinese at 59.4%, followed by Malays (35.6%) and Indians (5%).
About 70% of liver cancer cases were due to Hepatitis B, he added.
“We advise screening for liver cancer every six months for early detection and to reduce the mortality from the disease,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Dr Ding said the foundation and state health department would jointly organise the Penang Hepatitis Day on Sunday from 10am to 6pm at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru.
Blood tests, vaccination for hepatitis A, B and combined A and B shots will be available at special rates.
There will also be a free public lecture on hepatitis, a poster exhibition, a health quiz and an organ donation campaign.
Dr Ding said the event aimed to educate and create public awareness on hepatitis.