QuestionsTo Ask Your GP
Liver Cancer & Hepatitis: What's the Link?
Te mate pukupuku ate me te mate ate: He aha te hono?
Hepatitis B & C Infection
Primary liver cancer occurs when the cancer arises from the liver cells. The most common type is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC usually arises in people who have had underlying liver disease for many years resulting in liver scarring (cirrhosis). In New Zealand, the most common causes of the underlying liver disease are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcohol abuse.
We are proud to work with the Hepatitis Foundation and Health New Zealand to spread awareness about the risks and support patients living with hepatitis and liver cancer.
The Hepatitis Foundation
The Hepatitis Foundation educates on the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B and registering for their free long-term New Zealand community monitoring programme. An estimated 94,000 people in NZ have hepatitis B but, because there are often no symptoms, many of them don’t know they have it.
Key Links:
Could you have hepatitis B? Enrol and find out with a simple blood test
Are you living with hepatitis B? You can receive free monitoring
Important information about hepatitis and the liver
Health New Zealand
Right now, as many as 25,000 Kiwis are living with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C symptoms can be barely noticeable but lead to serious illness. Because of this, Health NZ's "Stick it to hep C" campaign is promoting easy finger prick tests and treatment that can cure hepatitis C in up to 98% of cases.
Key Links:
Get tested for hep C (it's fully confidential and you get results within 10 minutes)
FAQs about hep C risks, symptoms, testing and treatment
94,000
An estimated 94,000 people in New Zealand are living with hepatitis B.
3x
Māori, Pasifika and Asian populations are 3 times more likely to develop liver cancer than NZ European communities.
21%
Unfortunately, just 21% of liver cancer patients are expected to survive beyond 5 years.
Every Action Counts
By donating, raising awareness, or educating your whānau about liver cancer, you can make a real impact in the lives of New Zealanders. Join us in sharing vital information and providing real support to those affected.
Every action counts - let’s make a difference together.
Donate to GCF today
We appreciate any support you can give to help fund clinical research and raise awareness of gut cancers.