The Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific (CEVHAP) is, in advance of World Hepatitis Day on 28 July 2014, calling upon governments across Asia-Pacific to develop and implement coordinated national action plans to fight viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer.
In Asia Pacific, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C together with other forms of viral hepatitis kill over one million people per year, a death rate that is three times higher than HIV/AIDS.1
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are major reasons for liver diseases, causing 78% of all liver cancer globally.2 Across the world in less developed regions, people living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are most susceptible to developing cancer, with data showing that the viruses are responsible for 32% of all new infection-caused cancer cases per year in low- and middle-income countries, more than any other types of infection.3
Data from the 2014 World Cancer Report show that liver cancer is now the second most common cause of cancer death in Asia Pacific.4