By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, (PNA) — If not properly treated, Hepatitis B may lead to liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma, the fourth most common cause of cancer among Filipinos and the second most deadliest in the country.
This was pointed out on Tuesday by medical practitioners from the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG) in a health forum conducted at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
According to Dr. Jaime Ignacio, gastroenterologist and also vice president of Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), about 16.7% of the Filipino population or approximately 15 million Filipinos are recorded to be carriers of Hepatitis B infection.
“This means that one (1) out of eight (8) Filipinos has Hepatitis B infection that can lead to development of liver cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer,” Dr. Ignacio explained.
Ignacio said that the study was conducted by Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) as of 2004.
While there are no current available data on how many Filipinos are suffering from the disease, he said there is a need for a massive information dissemination to address the problem that may lead to loss of lives if not controlled.
The virus of Hepatitis B can be transferred in many ways according to Dr. Eternity Labio, hepatologist and secretary of the HPS. He said the virus can be transferred through sexual contacts, blood transfusion, sharing of needles, child birth and body piercing, among others.
“To stop the virus from being transmitted to the next generation, there was a law passed mandating for the mothers to give vaccines to their babies against hepatitis B in many community health centers in the country,” Labio cited. “It is the best way to stop the transfer of the virus.”
However, Labio noted there seems to be low vaccination cases in the far-flung areas.
She said even adults can still avail of vaccination against Hepatitis B at less than P1,000 while a check-up costs around P300.
“It is never too late for adults too to be vaccinated if they want to be protected from the virus and also if they want to spare their sexual partners or family members from being infected by the virus,” she said.
The doctors also advised the public to shun from too much intake of alcohol and fatty foods that may lead to serious liver disease.
Liver cancer or Hepatocellular carcinoma is usually characterized by weight loss, abdominal pain and failure of the liver to function properly that leads to yellowish discoloration of eyes, among others.