The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recently classified hepatitis-capanous hepatitis as hepatitis B and C, just like Carsinogenic-Cancer-Paida.
Hepatitis D, which affects individuals infected with Hepatitis B, is associated with two to six times the risk of liver cancer than hepatitis B alone, it has been said.
Viral hepatitis – type A, B, C, D, and E – are the major causes of acute liver infections. Of these, only hepatitis B, C, and D can be chronic. Infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
Each year, July 28 is observed as World Hepatitis Day, as viral hepatitis is one of a severe public health danger and primary causes of liver cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that most of the people suffering from hepatitis do not know that they are infected. According to the United Nations health body, type B, C, and D globally affect at least 300 million people and cause at least 1.3 million deaths each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer.
In a paper published on Monday, the Lancet Commission also mentioned that three out of five liver cancer cases are caused by the risk factors stopped, including roti liver, alcohol and viral hepatitis. It also said that obesity related cancer cases are increasing.
Also read: Hepatitis can cause liver disease: Gastroenterologist shares general causes, symptoms, prevention tips
Most cases of liver cancer can be prevented by reducing viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and MASLD (metabolic dysfunction levels of styotic liver disease-which is first called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), said this.
Liver cancer is already a major cause of death and disability. Globally, it is the sixth most common cancer and the third major cause of death from cancer.
Interestingly, the Commission estimated in the paper that at least 60% of liver cancer can be prevented through controls of variable risk factors including Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), masal and alcohol.
While preventive measures and treatment are available to combat this public health danger, last year’s global hepatitis report underlined some challenges that prominently affect the disease management.
Also read: World Hepatitis Day 2025: Expert shared 5 reasons why hepatitis cases are spikes in monsoon
According to the report, the test and treatment coverage is severely low: only 13% of people with Hepatitis B and 36% of people with Hepatitis C were diagnosed by 2022. The rate of treatment was also low – 3% for Hepatitis B and 20% for Hepatitis C – 60% below the target and 50% treated. Integration of hepatitis services remained unequal: 80 countries have included Hepatitis services in primary health care, 128 HIV programs, and only 27 have integrated the loss of damage to Hepatitis C services in centers.
According to the report, the next challenge will be to increase the implementation of prevention, test and treatment coverage. Achieving the target of 2030 can save the lives of 2.8 million people and prevent 9.8 million new infections. With a decline in donor support, countries should prioritize domestic investment, integrated services, better data, inexpensive drugs and stigma, the report said the experts in the report.
“In every 30 seconds, a person dies of severe liver disease or liver cancer related to hepatitis. Yet we have tools to prevent hepatitis,” which Director General Tedros Adnom Gabrisus said in a statement on World Hepatitis Day.
He is right. We have equipment at our disposal; We are all for stakeholders – Governments, Civil Society, Community Leaders, etc. – to come together, jointly to work towards eliminating hepatitis.
