One in 10 Cambodians have hepatitis B

By Bunthay Cheam/Khmerican

Originally published at http://khmr.cn/L44LRB

NOTE: May 19, 2012 is the first-ever National Hepatitis Testing Day

SEATTLE, WA -- Every 30 to 45 seconds, someone in the world dies from complications related to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In fact, 60 to 80 percent of liver cancer in the world is caused by hepatitis B. However, HBV is highly preventable through proper screening and vaccination, and even when contracted, it is very manageable through lifestyle adjustments and medication. Despite the Obama administration deeming viral hepatitis a “silent epidemic” in an official action plan for 2011, there is only a fraction of awareness compared to other diseases such as HIV.

According to the Stanford School of Medicine’s Asian Liver Center, over 2 million Americans have hepatitis B, two-thirds of them infected chronically (lifelong). Each year, 60,000 people become infected, and 6,000 die from complications related to the effects of hepatitis B.

Two-thirds of carriers display no symptoms, making it difficult to become alert to and diagnose. It can be years before symptoms appear, and at that point, it may be too late for treatment. If symptoms do appear, they are commonly mistaken for influenza: loss of appetite, fever, headaches. Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin, may also be a sign of liver cancer.

Liver Cancer Caused by Preventable Hepatitis, Doctor Says

Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
18 October 2007

Liver cancer can be caused by preventable hepatitis, a doctor said Thursday.

A high number of deaths in Cambodia and among Cambodian-Americans are caused by Hepatitis and subsequent liver cancer. But the disease is preventable, Dr. Taing Khek Hong, a Cambodian physician living in Florida, said Thursday, as a guest on "Hello VOA."

In Cambodia 12 percent of the population carry hepatitis B, and 4 percent have hepatitis C, he said. They are at risk for liver inflammation, which leads to cirrhosis of the liver, which in turn can cause liver cancer, he said.

People "should make every effort to be treated to eradicate or suppress the viruses to minimize the risks of cancer," he said.

People with hepatitis B or C should not drink alcohol, which can speed up liver damage, "setting the stage for the development of liver cancer," he said, especially in those with hepatitis C.

People over 40 should seek annual health checks, especially those who have cirrhosis of the liver, because liver cancer can be removed surgically if detected at an early stage, he said.

"All Cambodian children should be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth," Taing Khek Hong said. "Parents should check with the heath official, heath centers, infirmaries, hospitals or midwives for free vaccination, as this should be available."

Doctor: Cambodians at High Risk of Liver Cancer

Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Washington
20 September 2007

Cambodians are at a high risk of liver cancer, Dr. Taing Tek Hong, a Cambodian physician living in Florida, said Thursday.

The leading causes of the disease are Hepatitis B, alcohol abuse, the overuse of painkillers like Tylenol and smoking, he said. Cambodians are exposed to all these risks, he said.

Iron, copper and parasites in the liver can also lead to the disease, as can food toxins, Taing Tek Hong said, as a guest on "Hello VOA."

Ascites, a disease the causes a distended belly, comes from a liver infection or cirrhosis, he said. Cirrhosis comes from liver shrinkage due to prolonged alcohol abuse, he added.