Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer, and prevention is the absolute best strategy
Hepatitis B that has become a chronic infection can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The main way to prevent Hepatitis B is through vaccination which is given at Birth to children
We screen women in pregnancy for Hepatitis B, and in many places women are also screened for Hepatitis C in pregnancy
There is no vaccination for Hepatitis C
If you find out a sexual partner has Hepatitis of any kind you should also be screened
Those who have used injection drugs should be screened
If you have been found on blood work to have elevated liver tests, you should be screened
If you have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B and you are traveling to a country with high rates of Hepatitis B you should be tested
If you have been established to have Hepatitis B you can get treated by an anti-viral agent so that you don’t contract chronic disease which is the type of Hepatitis infection that causes liver cancer.
Come in to Women’s Health Practice to discuss your need for screening
