Speaking Out About Hepatitis B

C. H. Tung, Volunteer, Canadian Liver Foundation; Dr. Agatha Lau, Gastroenterologist, Markham Stouffville Hospital; Minister Michael Chan; Dr. Morris Sherman, Medical Advisor, Canadian Liver Foundation and Gary Fagan, President, Canadian Liver Foundation 

  “As of today, Hepatitis B will no longer be a silent disease,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and M.P.P., Markham-Unionville at a Hepatitis B awareness event hosted by Markham Stouffville Hospital.

  The event, held by the Canadian Liver Foundation on January 30th attracted media attention as Chan declared, “Today we are going to talk about it; today we are going to create awareness.”

  According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, approximately 250,000 to 300,000 people in Canada are living with Hepatitis B and 100,000 of them are living here in Ontario.

  Hepatitis B can cause liver damage and lead to liver failure or liver cancer and as Gary Fagan, President of the Canadian Liver Foundation explained, it is a “hidden epidemic.”  

  This disease is also especially relevant to Markham Stouffville Hospital community members. Dr. Morris Sherman, Canadian Liver Foundation Medical Advisor stated, “Hepatitis B is primarily found in immigrants” and 50 per cent of residents in Markham are immigrants.

  As Dr. Agatha Lau, Gastroenterologist at the hospital explained, “It is a very important health issue in the Asian community.”

  One of the goals of the event was to encourage people to ask their physicians about Hepatitis B vaccination and testing.

  Testing is important since Hepatitis B carriers may experience no symptoms, but still pass the disease on to others through blood, bodily fluids and sexual contact.

  C.H. Tung, a Hepatitis B carrier for more than 30 years, talked about his experiences at the event and stressed the importance of Hepatitis B testing.

  “I look healthy but in fact I am not,” Tung said. “I could have missed the chance of early treatment and I definitely would not be able to be here with you today.”

  Dr. Lau also explained that new, effective treatments for Hepatitis B are now available and early diagnosis is extremely important.

  After describing his personal struggle with Hepatitis B and his success with his new treatment program, Tung urged, “Carriers, please stand up to your disease and do not lose the opportunity to fight.”