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| Dr Joseph Doyle |
This Australian consensus statement simplifies the approach to testing
and preventive strategies for HBV during cancer therapy for medical
specialists in infectious diseases, hepatology, haematology, oncology and
paediatrics.
Approximately 240,000 Australians are living with hepatitis
B virus infection, and approximately 2.3 million Australians have been exposed
or infected in the past. Individuals with current or hepatitis B are at risk of
viral reactivation during cancer therapy. Reactivation can lead to liver
failure, death or cancer treatment interruption that reduces cancer survival.
Given only approximately 62% of people living with chronic
hepatitis B in Australia have been diagnosed, a key recommendation is that all
patients scheduled to undergo cancer treatment should be tested for hepatitis
B.
Dr Doyle chaired the guidelines steering committee, and said,
“Given this national approach is recommended for all cancer patients, we encourage
the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to subsidise the cost of hepatitis B antiviral
agents during cancer therapy.”
“The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) should include rebates
for hepatitis B virus testing during and after cancer therapy, in accordance
with these recommendations."
The consensus statement can be found here:
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