Liver Cancer Can't Wait
Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer, the third most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Yet, more than half of liver cancer cases can be prevented through screening, testing and treatment for hepatitis.
A new report from the Centre for Disease Analysis (CDA) Foundation* finds that individuals living with hepatitis B and C have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer than someone smoking one pack of cigarettes per day.
Despite this, nearly half (42%) of people globally are not aware that one of the leading causes of liver cancer is viral hepatitis – according to research by the World Hepatitis Alliance.**
To support advocates in their work to improve understanding of the links between hepatitis and liver cancer WHA has developed an advocacy briefing. It outlines the key facts about the connection between viral hepatitis and liver cancer and calls for greater action. This includes calling for countries to invest in hepatitis services to reduce the burden of NCDs and urging the hepatitis and cancer communities to come together to raise their collective voice to increase awareness.
Webinar: We’re not waiting – Beating hepatitis and cancer together
On Thursday 27 July 2023, WHA hosted a webinar to discuss the integration of the hepatitis community and hepatitis services with liver cancer and NCDs to beat hepatitis and liver cancer together. Chaired by our director, Jessica Hicks, speakers included:
- Rosie Tasker, Global Advocacy Manager, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
- Devin Razavi-Shearer, Associate Director, HBV/HDV, Center for Disease Analysis Foundation
- Dr Nafiisah Chotun, Programme Lead, Endemic and NTDs & RISLNET Coordinator Southern African region, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
- Milan Mishkovikj, Director, European Liver Patients’ Assocation (ELPA)
- Wendy Wang, Deputy Director, Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan
Webinar: Exploring the Overlap Between NCDs and Communicable Diseases
On 16 September 2025, WHA co-hosted a webinar with the Global Health Council to explore the link between communicable diseases and NCDs.
NCDs and communicable diseases are inextricably linked, but the connection is often underexplored. While many communicable diseases are linked to NCDs, only vaccination for hepatitis B and HPV are recognised as methods to prevent NCDs in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Best Buys and NCD Global Monitoring Framework. People living with communicable diseases also live with a number of comorbidities, many of which are NCDs. Communicable diseases and NCDs are often tested and treated in silos but integrating these services strengthens health systems and improves patient outcomes.
Co-chaired by Cary James, CEO of WHA, and Liz Bayer, Advocacy Director of StrongMinds, the event examined how integrating communicable disease and NCD services can help reduce the global burden of NCDs. Speakers included:
- Shaibu Issa, WHA AFRO Board Member and Director of the Tanzania Health Alliance
- Dr. Modupe Coker – Assistant Dean of Clinical and Translational Research and Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
- Kate O’Brien, TB Survivor and Advocate, We are TB
- Lillian Kreppel, Executive Director and Co-Founder, HPV Cancers Alliance and a Cancer Thriver
* Razavi, H. CDA Foundation, 2023. Risk of developing cancer – comparison of HBV, HCV, and smoking. DOI: 10.3252/pso.eu.EASLCONGRESS.2023
** Global survey of 569 respondents from: Argentina, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United States of America. Participants sourced by SurveyMonkey Audience from 30 June to 4 July, 2023. Research conducted by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA)