World Cancer Day 2022: Close the Care Gap

World Cancer Day is an international day held on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

The World Cancer Day’s 2022-2024 theme ‘Close the Care Gap’ highlights the importance of understanding and recognising that everyone is affected by the cancer care gap, and to listen to the voices of people living with cancer.

Liver cancer is no different.

Did you know?

• Liver cancer is our fastest-growing cause of cancer death, and the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia
• Men are three times as likely to be diagnosed as women
• Treatments exist for many forms of liver cancer, so see your doctor if concerned
• Prevention strategies to reduce the spread of hepatitis B and the incidence of primary liver cancer include vaccinating people at risk against the virus, and monitoring the health of people already infected
• Causes of liver cancer include Hepatitis B or C viruses which result in long term (chronic) infection – the biggest known risk factor for primary liver cancer in Australia.
• Other factors can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, such as:
  • fatty liver disease or genetic disorders
    including haemochromatosis, or alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
  • type 2 diabetes
  • high alcohol consumption
  • obesity
  • smoking tobacco
  • exposure to certain chemicals.

In a three-year campaign, this year (2022) is dedicated to knowledge and understanding and realising the problem. There are many inequities in cancer care around the globe and it is important to understand what issues people living with cancer face. (More information here)

LiverWELL strives to support people who live with liver disease and liver cancer and have their lived experiences heard.

“Every single one of us has the ability to make a difference, large or small, and that together we can make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer.”

To get involved visit here or call the LiverLine (1800 703 003) for a confidential discussion.