Recognising the role of infection: Preventing liver cancer in special populations

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is the second most important known human carcinogen after tobacco. Increasing prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in Australia has resulted in rapidly rising liver cancer incidence. Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus, and consequently incidence of liver cancer, is highest in migrants born in Hepatitis B virus endemic areas, and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Often Hepatitis B virus is acquired at birth or in early childhood, when the likelihood of developing chronic infection is high. Globally the best preventative strategy for Hepatitis B virus associated liver cancer is universal infant vaccination, but vaccination in Australia will prevent a very small p..