{
  "id": 5522196,
  "title": "Hepatitis B behind increase in liver cancer cases – Dr Micah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/hepatitis-b-behind-increase-in-liver-cancer-cases-dr-micah",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-04T08:28:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/hepatitis-b-behind-increase-in-liver-cancer-cases-dr-micah/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Eileen Akonobea Micah, a gastroenterologist based in Ghana, has revealed that roughly three-quarters of liver cancer diagnoses in her country can be traced back to chronic hepatitis B infections. Many of these individuals, typically in their prime working years, were only diagnosed with liver cancer after the disease had advanced, leaving them with limited treatment options that only extend life by a few months. \"These are young people in their prime who are breadwinners for their families, and their deaths cause significant emotional and financial strain on their families and the nation,\" Dr. Micah lamented.\n\nThe situation was highlighted by the tragic case of two brothers in their late twenties who succumbed to liver cancer just three months apart, while two other siblings of the same family were living with hepatitis B and receiving treatment. Dr. Micah, who also serves as President of the Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD), addressed The Ghanaian Times on the sidelines of World Hepatitis Day, a global event observed annually on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis.\n\nThis year's theme for World Hepatitis Day, \"Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down,\" emphasizes the need to remove barriers to life-saving hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment services. Dr. Micah emphasized that Ghana ranks among the highest in Africa for liver cancer rates. Drawing from data from the Global Cancer Observatory 2024, liver cancer is the second most common cancer among men in Ghana, trailing only prostate cancer, and ranks fourth among women.\n\nThe prevalence of liver cancer in Ghana underscores the urgent need for increased screening and early treatment, according to Dr. Micah. She advocated for the decentralization of hepatitis B treatment, similar to the approach already implemented for hepatitis C, to enhance access to care across the country. Dr. Micah called for this strategy to help Ghana meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of treating at least 80% of eligible hepatitis patients by 2030.\n\nShe also stressed the importance of public awareness regarding hepatitis B status through regular screening, cautioning that the infection often shows no symptoms until severe liver damage has occurred. \"Early diagnosis and treatment are the most effective ways to prevent liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and premature deaths associated with hepatitis B,\" Dr. Micah advised.\n\nViral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can progress to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The five main types of viral hepatitis are A, B, C, D, and E, with hepatitis B and C responsible for the vast majority of chronic infections. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, joint pain, and jaundice. However, many infected individuals may not exhibit symptoms until the disease has progressed. Hepatitis A and B are preventable through safe and effective vaccines.",
  "summary": "About three out of every four liver cancer cases diagnosed in Ghana are linked to chronic hepatitis B infection, a gastroenterologist, Dr Eileen Akonobea Micah, has disclosed. She said many of those who developed the disease were in their productive years and often reported to hospital only after the cancer had advanced, leaving them eligible … The post Hepatitis B behind increase in liver cancer…",
  "key_points": [
    "75% of liver cancer cases in Ghana linked to chronic hepatitis B infections",
    "Young adults in prime working years diagnosed with advanced liver cancer",
    "Dr. Micah calls for increased screening and treatment decentralization"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}