Bayer, ALF launch campaign to raise awareness of liver cancer

October is Liver Awareness Month and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals is partnering with the American Liver Foundation for the second year to help raise awareness of liver cancer through the “Are You at Risk?” campaign, according to a press release.

“It is crucial that we familiarize the population with the risks associated with liver cancer, as symptoms often do not emerge until the disease has advanced and is more difficult to treat,” Thomas F. Nealon III, national board chair and CEO of the American Liver Foundation, said in the release. “Our partnership with Bayer is enabling us to provide important information to Americans this October, and to encourage those most at risk to take early action and start a dialogue with their doctors.”

For the campaign, Bayer initiated an online survey of 1,515 American adults aged older than 18 years to measure awareness of liver cancer and its risk factors, according to the release. Of those who participated in the survey, 68% reported they were aware of liver cancer, whereas a number of adults underestimated the risk factors associated with liver cancer. Forty-three percent of responders reported knowing chronic viral hepatitis is associated with the disease, and less than four in ten responders were aware obesity (38%) and diabetes (32%) are linked to liver cancer. One in ten responders were incorrect in identifying any risk factor associated with the disease (11% overall).

“The risk factors associated with liver cancer are not only behavioral; age, gender and even ethnicity can increase a person’s likelihood for developing the disease,” Myron Schwartz, MD, The Henry Kaufmann Professor of Surgery and director of liver surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, said in the release. “Learning about and discussing the risks with your doctor can pave the way for screening tests and regular physical exams, as needed, and early diagnosis can nearly double chances for survival.”

According to the release, more than 95% of people diagnosed with liver cancer are aged older than 45 years, with Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders having the highest rates of liver cancer in the U.S, followed by American Indians, Alaska Natives and Hispanic Americans.

The survey found that only 24% of responders know race and ethnicity contribute to developing liver cancer.

According to the release, liver cancer accounts for more than 600,000 deaths each year.

Disclosures: Nealon reports being employed by the American Liver Foundation. Healio.com/Hepatology was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures of Schwartz at the time of publication.