An academic and community partnership to fight cancer.
Liver Cancer
Preventing Liver Cancer Through Early Detection and Hepatitis Elimination
The SF CAN Liver Cancer Team works to reduce liver cancer incidence and mortality through hepatitis elimination, early detection of liver disease, improved cancer screening, and partnerships that expand access to prevention and care.
Why Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is one of SF CAN's five priority cancers because many cases can be prevented. Chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are major risk factors for liver cancer.
Through early detection, treatment, vaccination, and community outreach, the Liver Cancer Team works to reduce liver cancer across San Francisco.
Meet the Team
Rena Fox, MD
Liver Cancer Team Lead
Professor of Medicine, UCSF Division of General Internal Medicine
Partners
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End Hep C SF
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SF Hep B Free
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DeLIVER Van
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UCSF Hepatitis C Cure Initiative, Office of Population Health
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UCSF Division of General Internal Medicine
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Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Kaiser Permanente Northern California
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San Francisco Department of Public Health
Our Current Priorities
Eliminating Hepatitis C
Working with End Hep C SF and the DeLIVER Van to expand hepatitis C testing, treatment, and outreach, reducing future liver cancer diagnoses.
Building Community Partnerships
Collaborating with healthcare systems, public health agencies, and community organizations to improve liver disease prevention, cancer screening, and access to care.
Liver Cancer in San Francisco
Liver Cancer Information and Resources
What is Liver Cancer?
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Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma = HCC) is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.
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Most liver cancers in the U.S. occur in people with cirrhosis (liver scarring), typically from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) or heavy alcohol use.
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Prevention of liver cancer can be achieved by prevention and treatment of these underlying conditions, as well as screening patients who are at-risk with every 6 month abdominal ultrasound.
Hepatitis and Liver Cancer
About Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a primary cause of liver cancer. It can be transmitted by:
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Sexual contact
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Blood contact such as needle use
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Vertical transmission, from mothers who are chronic carriers to newborns
Prevention
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Vaccination: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children and adults up to age 59, as well as older adults at risk for HBV, get the HBV vaccine to reduce their risk of chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer.
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Screening: CDC recommends all adults get screened for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime through a blood test.
Hepatitis B resources in San Francisco
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Hep B Free has a phone line for all hepatitis B-related questions.
Call (415) 336-2629
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C (HCV) is another major cause of liver cancer. It is transmitted by
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sharing needles in injection drug use
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blood transfusion prior to the discovery of HCV
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tattoos performed with unsterilized equipment
Hepatitis C Prevention and Treatment
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Screening: To test for hepatitis C, the HCV antibody test is first conducted. If positive, it is followed by a Hepatitis C RNA test to confirm active infection, done via a blood test. Both tests can be performed in laboratories, or with rapid point-of-care tests in some settings.
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Treatment : There is no vaccination for hepatitis C but it can be permanently cured by medication called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Most treatments involve just 8–12 weeks of oral medication (pills). Treatment cures more than 95% of people with hepatitis C, usually without side effects.
Hepatitis C resources in San Francisco
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Hepatitis C in San Francisco (End Hep C SF)
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Hep C Services in San Francisco