Learning About Liver Cancer

[Guest guest]

http://www.asianweek.com/2008/12/10/learning-about-liver-cancer/

Learning About Liver Cancer

December 10, 2008

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SAN FRANCISCO - Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals have teamed up to

sponsor Living With Liver Cancer, a worldwide awareness program designed to

provide support and information about liver disease and cancer in the United

States, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

“There is not enough education about hepatitis B, and we want to do what we can

to educate the community and increase awareness,” says nna Wood, vice

president of corporate communications and investor relations at Onyx

Pharmaceuticals.

The program will educate patients and caregivers about the signs and symptoms,

risk factors and treatment options available for liver cancer, as well as

appropriate screening and diagnosis for at-risk populations.

Supported by the American Liver Foundation and Vital Options International, the

program held its first San Francisco event, an educational workshop, on Dec. 6

at the Cathedral Hill Hotel.

Over 30 people attended the event, in which both a doctor and patient shared

their knowledge and experience with liver cancer and hepatitis B.

Bok Pon, commander of the American Legion Cathay Post #384, considered himself

“invincible” and was shocked to learn that he had hepatitis-B-induced liver

cancer in early 2007. He encouraged the crowd to be screened if they have not.

Though early detection of the disease can be difficult, Frenette,

transplant hepatologist with California Pacific Medical Center’s Liver Disease

Management and Transplant Program, said there are common symptoms once the

disease is in its advanced stages. They include weight loss, ongoing lack of

appetite, itching of the skin and nausea.

Frenette said options for treating liver cancer vary with each individual and

depend on how well the liver is functioning at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Treatment options for liver cancer can include a liver transplant in which the

tumor is surgically removed, radiofrequency ablation - the use of high-frequency

electrical currents to destroy cells or taking oral non-curative treatments such

as Nexavar tablets, which block tumor cell signals, thus preventing the cells

from growing and dividing.

Living With Liver Cancer hopes to do more educational and outreach events in The

City in the future.

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For more information about Living With Cancer, visit livingwithlivercancer.com.

For more on S.F. Hep B Free, visit sfhepbfree.org.

Written by Pang · Filed Under San Francisco Hep B Update