This page is an archive. Its content may no longer be accurate and was last updated on the original publication date. It is intended for reference and as a historical record only. For hep C questions, call Help4Hep BC at 1-888-411-7578.
January 17, 2019, USA: “Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and HIV Infection Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Cancer From Academic and Community Oncology Practices”
By Scott D. Ramsey, MD, PhD; Joseph M. Unger, PhD; Laurence H. Baker,DO; et al
This study of 3051 patients attempted to determine the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV infection among patients with newly-diagnosed cancer. It found 0.6% prevalence of chronic hepatitis B, 2.4% prevalence of hepatitis C, and 1.1% prevalence of HIV. 42.1% of those found with chronic hepatitis B were newly-diagnosed through this screening, 31% of those found with hepatitis C were newly-diagnosed, but only 5.9% of those with HIV were newly-diagnosed. Consequently, the study determined that screening those newly-diagnosed with cancer for hepatitis B and hepatitis C “may be warranted”, though screening them for HIV probably is not. Read article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2721238