Comprehensive testing, monitoring, and treatment in primary care could save hundreds of Australian lives each year
Tens of thousands of Australians have undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B, most since infancy.1 Chronic hepatitis B is an important cause of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In eligible patients, antiviral therapy can prevent progressive liver disease and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, but this potentially lifesaving therapy is not provided to people with clinically silent disease if a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test is not undertaken. In 2012, liver cancer was the most rapidly increasing cause of cancer deaths in Australia.2
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