Thailand ranks 4th highest in liver cancer deaths
The Voice of Liver 2024, organized for the third year by the Thailand Hepatitis Alliance, was honoured by Dr. Cherdchai Tantisirin, Assistant Minister of Public Health. He highlighted the challenge of cancer, the leading cause of death in Thailand's public health system.
Data from the National Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Services, reported that in 2022, Thailand had approximately 140,000 new cancer patients per year, with approximately 84,000 deaths.”
The 30-baht plus policy established by the Ministry of Public Health offers comprehensive cancer care as one of its Quick Win policies. Furthermore, the Cancer Warrior project is also used as a screening tool for early detection, so patients to access treatment promptly. Presently, liver cancer has high-quality medicine and technology for comprehensive treatment, including promotion, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliation. This scheme is backed by the National Health Security Office and the Social Security Office’s support in comprehensive cancer screening.
Liver cancer is common in Asia
Dr Napa Siriwiwattanakul, Director of the National Cancer Institute, stated “A large number of liver cancer patients were found in Asia, at 73.3% according to data from GLOBOCAN WHO: Liver 2020. Whereby, liver cancer can occur for many reasons, including results from hepatitis B and C or infection from sharing needles. Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child up to 90% of the time. Of these transmissions, there is a 2% chance per year that the infection will develop into liver cancer. As for hepatitis C, it can be transmitted through blood where there is a 1-4% chance of the infection turning into liver cancer per year.”
Thailand ranks 4th in the world in deaths from liver cancer
Dr Jamrus Pongpit Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist from Nongkhai Hospital & Representative of Thai Hepatitis Alliance stated, “In Thailand, the death rate from liver cancer is as high as 26,704 cases per year. This puts Thailand at 4th in the world with 3 deaths on average every 1 hour; making liver cancer the number one cause of death in the country when compared to other cancers. Early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma often cause no symptoms. Therefore, patients usually come to seek professional help when the disease has progressed, resulting in poor outcomes and a low chance of recovery. Considering treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma is an urgent matter, therefore we would urge all sectors to come together and discuss treatment options for the benefit of Thai people.”
Innovative medicine to treat advanced liver cell cancer
Col. Asst. Prof. Naiyarat Prasongsook, M.D., Medical Oncologist from Phramongkutklao Hospital & Chairman of PMK Cancer Center and Clinical Research Center describes the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma as stated “The treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma includes: 1) Targeted therapy, which acts to stop cancer cells from dividing. This treatment has a survival rate of about 10-13 months. 2) Immunotherapy combined with antiangiogenic drugs given as an injection with a survival rate of 19.2 months in patients worldwide and 24 months in China. Whereby, this treatment is currently not listed in the benefits package for liver cancer patients”.
Enhancing the benefits of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Weerayut Yodkam, Liver Patient revealed “I have been sick with liver cancer since 2019. The doctor recommended treatment by taking antiviral drugs and then using targeted therapy. This is because I have the hepatitis C virus and the cancer is at a metastatic stage. I have been taking the pills for about 2-3 months and have had many side effects. My hands and feet are cracked, and the wounds get worse when I touch anything. This made daily life quite difficult, so I requested to change to another medicine. Thus I have been using immunotherapy together with antiangiogenic drugs and my symptoms have improved and my weight increased with no undesired side effects. From the beginning, I thought I might not survive. Now I see a doctor every 3 weeks to receive medicine, however, I am responsible for the costs myself because the medicine is not within the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme”
Dr Jakkrit Ngowsiri, Deputy Secretary-General of NHSO stated “Cancer medicine is a basic right that all humans should receive. Thus, the role and duty of NHSO is to help every Thai person receive equal rights.”
“Under the resolution of the National Health Security Committee, for new treatments to replace old treatments, the new treatment must be priced equal to or lower than the original treatment. Furthermore, the replacement should undergo without having to wait for the new treatment to be added to the national list of essential medicines first Because it may take 2-3 years” Dr Jakkrit concluded.
Prof. Dr Pisit Tangkijvanich, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital & Head of the Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University suggested “Even though every patient has the right to be treated, it is still not realistic to do so. Therefore, if we consider selecting suitable people to receive treatment in advanced stages first such as people who have better results, or have the chance of living longer, to have universal access to the treatment. In addition, a study of data on the use of immunotherapy in Thailand found that the efficacy data for Thai people is not different from data from studies around the world.”
This event is supported by Roche Thailand, one of Thailand's leading healthcare companies that continuously invests in research and development.
