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."
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."
2 comments:
It is about time Dr Taing Khek Hong that you should come to Cambodia and set up the vaccination programme for Cambodian children. All talks and no action are useless, I hope that you will be able to help the children, Wish you well.
We should be thankful that he takes the time out of his busy schedule to educate our people on health issues via Hello VOA program, from which we have benefited a great deal. Additionally, he has been actively involved in helping our Cambodian people in his community. His many acts of charity include treating several people (such as monks) who don’t have health insurance, scarifying his time and money to build the temple, and during the 80’s and early 90’s he helped our people obtain employment. In short, he doesn’t simply talk the talk but sure enough, he walks the wal
Post a Comment