Liver cancer: One of Australia’s fastest growing cancer threats

Presentation by Professor George Yeoh, Chair of CCWA Board and President of CCWA, is an outstanding, internationally respected liver cancer researcher.

George Yeoh is a Senior Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Molecular Sciences and Emeritus Professor in the School of Medicine & Pharmacology at the University of WA where he has been a teacher and researcher for more than 40 years. He undertakes research at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in the laboratory for Liver Disease and Carcinogenesis. George has had a long term interest in liver development and cancer. He was Chair of our Research Grants Committee for 8 years and a Board member of the Institute for Respiratory Health, Deputy Director of the UWA Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine and a member of the NHMRC Translational Research Faculty. He is a Board member of Cancer Council Australia and sits on the Advisory Council of Cancer Australia.

Liver cancer is the fastest growing cancer threat in Australia, since 1984 incidence and mortality rates have doubled in Australian men and women. While liver cancer is not common, it is a highly preventable cancer with about 60-80% percent of new cases of liver cancer caused by long-term infection with the hepatitis B virus. There is much work to be done to improve testing and treatment for hep B to reduce the burden of liver cancer.