WHAT I WISH I KNEW: TAKING CONTROL OF MY CONDITION
64-year-old Wong from Singapore was first diagnosed with hepatitis B in his early twenties but did not understand the severity of his condition if left unchecked.
Eventually, his brother, also a person living with hepatitis B, passed away from sever liver cirrhosis. Seeing his brother's challenging journey as a sever liver cirrhosis patient, Wong was determined to not follow his brother's footsteps.
Keeping his condition in check hasn't been an easy process. Through multiple checks, blood tests, re-tests, Wong questions if he has made the right choice. However, he is certain of one thing, if he doesn't take control of his condition, he'll never know when the disease may have a chance to take his life away.
In Singapore, 62% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases are caused by hepatitis B virus infection.¹ Hepatitis today can lead to liver cancer tomorrow.
The “What I Wish I Knew” film series offers a poignant and intimate look into the lives of individuals impacted by hepatitis B across diverse markets in Asia Pacific. Each film serves as a powerful testament to the importance of early detection, proactive management, and the often-underestimated consequences of the disease.
Reference:
1. Prevalence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Population within Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 39,050 Participants. Pathogens. 2023 Oct 6;12(10):1220. doi: 10.3390/pathogens12101220. PMID: 37887736; PMCID: PMC10609743.