Test for hepatitis today to prevent liver cancer deaths in the future
Hepatitis SA
ADELAIDE: In the week of World Hepatitis Day (28 July), Hepatitis SA is running free public online information sessions and free fibroscan testing in shopping centres to highlight the importance of early detection of viral hepatitis before it turns into liver cancer. Parliament House, Adelaide Oval and the Footbridge will also glow green to highlight that “Testing Saves Lives.”
“Liver cancer deaths in Australia are rising, primarily caused by viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B) so we are calling on people to get tested,” says Hepatitis SA’s spokesperson Jenny Grant.
“Hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent blood-borne illnesses in Australia, even though both can be easily tested and treated. There’s a simple 12-week cure for hepatitis C and a vaccine and treatment for hepatitis B. But about one in five people with hepatitis C, and almost one in three South Australians with hepatitis B, are undiagnosed and don’t know they’re at risk.
“In South Australia at least 16,463 people live with hepatitis B or C. We have made good progress – 56.1% of people living with hepatitis C have been treated since the cure became available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2016. Treatment uptake has declined since the initial surge in 2016, with only 4% of people living with hepatitis C receiving treatment in 2023.
“Only 22.1% of those living with hepatitis B are in care in South Australia.
“We encourage people to get tested because testing saves lives, and viral hepatitis testing is easier than it has ever been. It’s free and easily available from a network of community services. Hepatitis B testing is available from GPs and we have handy referral cards for people to take to their GP to make the process easier. Call Hepatitis SA to book a time for a hepatitis C point-of-care test at our site in Hackney, or find where else to go if you’re not in the metropolitan area.”
“We’re running free liver fibroscan clinics in partnership with Relationships Australia in Hollywood Plaza in Salisbury Downs on 28 July and Arndale Shopping Centre in Kilkenny on 31 July, to test levels of scarring or fat build up in the liver, with results available immediately so we can make a treatment plan or organise further testing if necessary.
“We’re holding free online public information sessions on 23 July, 28 July and 1 August (see details below) and a free liver health check clinic in partnership with CAASSA which works with Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern and African communities.
“With Cancer Council SA, we are also calling on South Australian Members of Parliament to support the expansion of hepatitis B testing as opt-out testing in Emergency Departments and as one-off inclusions in routine blood tests. These are simple steps we can take to eliminate hepatitis B in SA and address the rising number of liver cancer deaths.”
On 28 July, the Parliament of South Australia building, the Elemental sculpture in Victor Harbor, Adelaide Oval and Hepatitis SA’s premises in Hackney, will be lit green to highlight the need to take action to eliminate viral hepatitis.
World Hepatitis Day is on 28 July, the birthday of Baruch S. Blumberg who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 for his Hepatitis B research.
Free Fibroscan clinics
Date: Monday 28 July
Time: TBC
Location: Hollywood Plaza, Cnr Spains Road and Winzor St, Salisbury Downs SA 5108
Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: TBC
Location: Arndale Shopping Centre, 470 Torrens Rd, Kilkenny SA 5009
Awareness Starts with the ABCs – Free public online sessions
Date: Wed 23 July
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm ACST
Location: online via Humanitix
Date: Mon 28 July
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Online via Humanitix
Date: Fri 1 Aug
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
Location: online via Humanitix
Use QR code to register
Key Facts
- There are at least 16,463 people in South Australia living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C at the end of 2023, an increase on 2021 figures.
- 56.1% of all people living with hepatitis C at the start of 2016 were cured by the end of 2022.
- At least 11,258 people in South Australia are living with hepatitis B, an increase on 2021 figures. Everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs to be monitored regularly, but in SA only 22.1% are receiving care.
- Australia has signed up to the World Health Organisation global goal to eradicate hepatitis by 2030, but we’re starting to fall behind on targets.
- Hepatitis B is one of the most common risk factors for liver cancer – the fastest growing cause of cancer deaths in Australia.
- We are protecting children from hepatitis B as 94.1% of South Australian born babies have received the vaccination.
More information
Hepatitis SA 3 Hackney Rd, Hackney, SA 5069 (08) 8362 8443
Heplink www.heplink.au plays a crucial role in providing free, confidential, localised information and support to anyone, anywhere in Australia.
Sources
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240091672
- https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/immunisation-data/childhood-immunisation-coverage/current-coverage-data-tables-for-all-children
Media Contact: Linda Apps 0433 999 017
To arrange interviews, call Hepatitis SA Comms: Cecilia Lim - 0468 758 466
Key Facts:
- There are at least 16,463 people in South Australia living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C at the end of 2023, an increase on 2021 figures.
- Liver cancer deaths in Australia are rising, primarily caused by viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B).
Contact details:
Linda Apps 0433 999 017
Cecilia Lim - 0468 758 466