Beating liver cancer through hepatitis elimination

Liver cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer worldwide and cases are continuing to rise. Viral hepatitis is the most common risk factor for liver cancer and globally, over 350 million people live with viral hepatitis, with an estimated 1,500 deaths per day being attributable to viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is a priority topic for global health and a global strategy has been endorsed by World Health Organization (WHO) member states. Despite this, and the significant global burden of both liver cancer and viral hepatitis, the response has been inadequate and the connection between the two is often unrecognised. There are effective interventions, particularly in prevention and screening, but these have received significantly less attention in cancer control conferences, compared with other high burden cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. To combat this, concerted action from cancer and hepatitis professionals, as well as public health advocates and policymakers is needed. This session will shed light on the critical connection between liver cancer and viral hepatitis, and the importance of collaboration between the cancer and hepatitis communities in implementing cost effective and high impact approaches to address the burden of viral hepatitis, and by consequence, reduce liver cancer illness and death.