The report also found that treatment uptake across regional Victoria is below the state average.
Early detection manager at Cancer Council Victoria Charissa Feng said low awareness and barriers to medical care are contributing to the treatment gap.
“Hepatitis B often doesn’t have any symptoms, which means thousands of Victorians are unknowingly living with the virus,” she said.
“We also know for those who have been diagnosed, many aren’t attending regular check-ups or are unable to find a local doctor to manage their treatment plan.”
Ms Feng said that while there is no cure, regular care and treatment can prevent liver damage and lower the risk of cancer.
“If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis B, it is important to see your doctor regularly to monitor the virus and, if needed, take medication to prevent liver cancer,” she said.
The Victorian Government’s recently launched Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-28 aims to eliminate hepatitis B and C as a public health concern, with the goal to increase the number of people receiving care for hepatitis B to 90 per cent by 2030.
To support this goal, Cancer Council Victoria is offering 20 scholarships for Victorian general practitioners and nurse practitioners to become accredited prescribers of hepatitis B treatment.
For more information about hepatitis B and liver cancer, visit https://tinyurl.com/3pnkb4r4
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