Dr. Asare Offei, a consultant hepatobiliary surgeon at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has revealed that hepatitis B infection is the single most important factor driving liver cancer cases in Ghana. (Hepatobiliary refers to anything that relates to the liver (hepatic) and the bile or biliary system, which includes the gallbladder and bile ducts.)

Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show as part of the station’s Cancer Awareness Month campaign, Dr. Offei explained that about 80% of all liver cancers in the country are caused by hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of cancer closely linked to hepatitis B.

“The common one that kills a lot of our people — which has taken over the whole name of liver cancer — is hepatocellular cancer, or HCC. It forms about 80% or more of all the cancers starting from the liver, and that is the one related to the hepatitis B virus,” he said.

He noted that hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted mainly through blood contact, sexual contact, or from mother to child at birth.

The virus can trigger chronic inflammation of the liver, which in some cases directly develops into cancer without first progressing to cirrhosis.

“In some cases, the hepatitis effect of the inflammation will change the liver cells directly into cancer without even changing into cirrhosis,” Dr. Offei explained.

Liver cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Ghana, with hepatitis B prevalence estimated to be among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Health experts warn that many Ghanaians may be living with the virus without knowing it due to the lack of early symptoms.

Dr. Offei stressed the importance of regular hepatitis B screening, vaccination, and early treatment to reduce the country’s high liver cancer burden.

The Cancer Awareness Month campaign by Joy FM aims to increase public understanding of cancer risks and encourage early detection and prevention.