Poland is facing a looming epidemic of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which are linked to Hepatitis C infections, experts warn.
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a liver disease caused by the HCV virus, which is transmitted through blood and body fluids. Chronic Hepatitis C, if untreated, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In Poland, approximately 140,000 people are infected, but the majority are unaware and untreated.
Professor Robert Flisiak, chair of the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Infectious Disease Doctors, stated that although Poland has an excellent Hepatitis C treatment program, 40% of patients are diagnosed only at the stage of cirrhosis or liver cancer, which is too late for effective treatment.
He said: “This is tragic because it means that we recognize hepatitis C too late. Often these people are young, between the ages of 30 and 50.”
According to Flisiak, implementing a nationwide HCV screening program is crucial and should include primary care facilities, emergency departments, and prisons.
He said that screening 3.5 to 4 million people annually is necessary to meet WHO targets for reducing HCV infections.
The WHO aims to reduce new HCV infections by 90% and HCV-related deaths by 65% by 2030.
Professor Krzysztof Tomasiewicz emphasized that without systemic changes, Poland will soon witness an epidemic of liver cancer, compounded by increasing alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease.
He said: “These are the projections. We are heading towards an epidemic of hepatocellular carcinoma because additional risk factors for this cancer are beginning to overlap with HCV infections.”
Despite the availability of effective treatments, the current lack of a comprehensive screening program hampers efforts to control the spread of HCV.
According to Tomasiewicz, implementing rapid, cost-effective testing methods and ensuring proper funding for these initiatives are essential steps to prevent a public health crisis.
In Poland, approximately 140,000 people are infected, but the majority are unaware and untreated.
Professor Robert Flisiak, chair of the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Infectious Disease Doctors, stated that although Poland has an excellent Hepatitis C treatment program, 40% of patients are diagnosed only at the stage of cirrhosis or liver cancer, which is too late for effective treatment.
He said: “This is tragic because it means that we recognize hepatitis C too late. Often these people are young, between the ages of 30 and 50.”
According to Flisiak, implementing a nationwide HCV screening program is crucial and should include primary care facilities, emergency departments, and prisons.
He said that screening 3.5 to 4 million people annually is necessary to meet WHO targets for reducing HCV infections.
The WHO aims to reduce new HCV infections by 90% and HCV-related deaths by 65% by 2030.
Professor Krzysztof Tomasiewicz emphasized that without systemic changes, Poland will soon witness an epidemic of liver cancer, compounded by increasing alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease.
He said: “These are the projections. We are heading towards an epidemic of hepatocellular carcinoma because additional risk factors for this cancer are beginning to overlap with HCV infections.”
Despite the availability of effective treatments, the current lack of a comprehensive screening program hampers efforts to control the spread of HCV.
According to Tomasiewicz, implementing rapid, cost-effective testing methods and ensuring proper funding for these initiatives are essential steps to prevent a public health crisis.
