A Message from Ministers Dosanjh and Bennett
Help Fight Liver Disease Month
March is "Help Fight Liver Disease Month" in Canada. The Canadian Liver Foundation designated this
month to recognize all of the Canadians who are currently living with, or at risk of, a liver disease
and also to remember those who have died from the disease.
This month serves as a great opportunity to foster awareness about liver disease and to promote
the resources that are available to those who suffer from liver disease. In a recent study, results
showed that one in five Canadians have no idea what the liver does. In raising awareness about the
organ we can also highlight ways to maintain the health of your liver. "Help Fight Liver Disease
Month" is also an opportunity to support research in hepatology, the study of the liver.
Liver disease can take over 100 different forms, so it is important for Canadians to understand
the disease and become aware of ways to prevent it. Liver disease affects people of all ages, and
in many cases a liver transplant is the only solution. However, researchers are working hard to improve
treatment options and, ultimately, to cure liver diseases.
Among the different forms of liver disease, hepatitis A is an example of a viral infection of the
liver. It occurs worldwide, especially in the developing world. The Public Health Agency's Travel
Medicine Program informs the international Canadian traveller on global disease outbreaks - including
Hepatitis A. It also advises you on what precautions to take.
Another example of liver disease is hepatitis C. Most people newly infected with hepatitis C have
no symptoms and are unaware of their infection, but can still pass it on to others. There is currently
no cure for hepatitis C, but treatment options exist.
We encourage you to take some time this month to recognize those who are courageously fighting the
battle against liver disease. For more information about liver disease and ways to prevent it, please
visit the  Public
Health Agency of Canada's Web site.
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