Category:News’
CATIE HepCInfo Update
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Welcome to HepCInfo Update 3.1 for January 1 – 13, 2012. Read on to learn more about new and updated scientific findings in hepatitis C prevention, care, treatment and support. |
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| New and newsworthy
France: Is more frequent monitoring for liver cancer among co-infected people needed? One complication of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) is liver cancer, and researchers in France continue to study this cancer both in people with either HCV or HBV or HIV co-infection. Their most recent study suggests that liver cancer occurs earlier and is more severe in some co-infected people who are at high risk for liver cancer. If the findings are confirmed, increased liver monitoring of co-infected people at high risk for liver cancer may be necessary.
International liver cancer management guidelines suggest that people with cirrhosis (who are at high risk for liver cancer) should have ultrasound scans of their liver and have alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tests to help their doctors look for tumours. If another team confirms the French results, more frequent monitoring of HIV-HCV co-infected people at high risk for liver cancer may be important. For instance, the French team suggests that ultrasound scans and other tests could be done every three months. This shorter time span might allow technicians and doctors to detect liver cancer when it is at an early stage. (CATIE, January 2012, in English) Crack pipe distribution pilot project in Vancouver Through this pilot project, Vancouver Coastal Health will evaluate whether or not we can use distribution of crack kits as an effective way to engage people and help them access other health services including addiction treatment. This turned out to be one of the major benefits of Insite, the supervised injection site. At the street level, introduction of this pilot project will prevent the type of harms associated with makeshift crack pipes that are in use right now by people who can’t afford to buy a suitable pipe, which frequently explode, leading to cuts, burns, and infections. (Huffington Post, January 2012, in English)
Health authority weighs adding more supervised injection sites Vancouver Coastal Health is looking at offering supervised injection services for people who inject heroin at several of its clinics. Health officials are talking to potential partners in the medical community about a new way to provide the harm-reduction service, Chief Medical Officer Patricia Daly said Monday in an interview. The health authority has no plans in place at this time, she said, but offering supervised injection services at several facilities is the direction the health authority wants to go. “We want to really normalize it, so it becomes just another one of the harm-reduction services that you can offer to this group,” she said. “We need to be able to provide services throughout the region, wherever injection drug users may live.” (Globe and Mail, January 2012, in English)
Researchers identify liver cancer risk factors Two new studies from the Mayo Clinic in the United States find that hepatitis C infection and obesity could be to blame for an increase in liver cancer cases, which have tripled over the last 30 years. “The studies illuminate the importance of identifying people with risk factors in certain populations to help catch the disease in its early, treatable stages,” said W. Ray Kim, principal investigator of one study. Two decades ago, liver cancer tended to be caused by liver-scarring diseases such as cirrhosis from alcohol consumption. The researchers say their findings could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and save lives. (Mayo Clinic News, January 2012, in English)
CDC reminder: Insulin pens are not for use on more than one person The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a reminder for healthcare providers–reusing insulin pens on multiple people places people at risk for hepatitis viruses and HIV. Insulin pens are designed to be used multiple times, for a single person, using a new needle for each injection. The CDC recommends clearly labeling insulin pens with the person’s name or other identifying information to ensure that the correct pen is used only with the correct individual. (CDC, January 2012, in English)
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| Straight to the source for new science
An integrated alcohol abuse and medical treatment model for patients with hepatitis C – Digestive Diseases and Sciences, December 2011, in English Help-seeking and coping with the psychosocial burden of chronic hepatitis C: A qualitative study of patient, hepatologist, and counsellor perspectives – International Journal of Nursing Studies, January 2012, in English Neurocognitive Effects of HIV, Hepatitis C, and Substance Use History – Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, January 2012, in English |
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HepCInfo Updates are also available to view online. To subscribe and receive the Updates straight to your inbox, visit CATIE’s free subscription page. Decisions about particular medical treatments should always be made in consultation with a qualified medical practitioner who is knowledgeable about HIV and hepatitis C-related illnesses and the treatments in question. More… Privacy | Permission to reproduce | Funders
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Harm Reduction
The following article appear recently in The Huffington Post, regarding the launch of a crack kit pilot study through Vancouver Coastal Health.
Read what a Medical Health Officer with VCH has to say about it.
PHCN AGM Package
AGM packages are in the mail (or the e-mail!). If you are a member and haven’t received a package by January 3 at the latest (either through the mail or via e-mail), please be in contact with Katie at katie@pacifichepc.org.
Just a reminder that once you receive the package, if you are unable to attend the AGM, all voting ballots must be received by January 19th.
We look forward to seeing you all in January!
Ministry of Health – Progress Report
In 2007, the Ministry of Health released a strategic policy document entitled Healthy Pathways Forward: A Strategic Integrated Approach to Viral Hepatitis in BC. The current progress report summarizes steps that have been made to achieving the 4 goals outlined in the original document, and identifies new opportunities for action.
BC Hepatology Nurse Leader’s Group Newsletter
Patient Input to PHARMACARE into the review of Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) – SIGN UP NOW!
Boceprevir (VICTRELIS): Patient Input to PHARMACARE review of this important new drug for treating hepatitis C – SIGN UP NOW!
BC provides an opportunity for patients, caregivers AND patient groups to give input into the Drug Review process. This BC Pharmacare website provides a description of how to provide input through “YOUR VOICE”. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/yourvoice/
From this website, you can fill in your e-mail to get automatically notified whenever a new drug has been listed for feedback under “YOUR VOICE”. For this option click on “subscription service”. Right now, Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) is listed on the web page and it indicates that “DATES ARE AVAILABLE SOON” for patients/caregivers and advocacy groups to input.
Go to the left hand side of the page and make your selection (i.e. “PATIENTS” OR “CAREGIVERS” OR “ADVOCACY GROUPS”). Note: “CAREGIVERS” does not include individuals that care for a group of people with a certain disease/condition, it only includes people who look after individual patients with the disease/condition, for instance family members or friends.
Once you choose one of the categories, (i.e. “PATIENTS”, another drop down menu appears entitled “DRUG REVIEW LIST”. Clicking on that takes you to the current product/s open for providing input. The questions that will be asked are specific to the product being reviewed. Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) will be listed for input soon.
Given that Boceprevir (VICTRELIS) was granted a PRIORITY REVIEW by BC Pharmacare, “YOUR VOICE” for this new drug will be open around November 7 for about a 3 weeks – this is the only chance to give any input about the need for this drug to be listed.
Living with Hepatitis
Each year, the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinate World Hepatitis Day globally. The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) coordinates World Hepatitis Day in Canada (websites are listed below).
The World Hepatitis Day campaign theme this year is “This is hepatitis…” with the slogan of “Know it. Confront it. Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere.”
World Hepatitis Day 2011 takes place July 28th. This year, the Pacific Hepatitis C Network, AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society (ANKORS), the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the Provincial Health Services Authority’s HIV Program partnered with film industry professionals, many of whom volunteered all or most of their time and expertise, to create the short, BC-produced, globally released video, ‘Living with Hepatitis’, about the reality of living with hepatitis C.
Thirteen courageous and amazing British Columbians stepped forward to tell their stories to the world. They did so to help raise awareness and increase understanding about this virus, and its effects and what needs to be done to address those effects.
For more information about the project please be in touch with Deb Schmitz at the Pacific Hepatitis C Network at deb@pacifichepc.org or 604 886 9539.
To learn more about World Hepatitis Day go to these websites:
http://www.
New Drug Effectively Treats Hepatitis C
Adding Incivek to standard therapy also cut treatment time in half, researchers say
Posted: June 23, 2011
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) — The recently approved drug Incivek, combined with two standard drugs, is highly effective at treating hepatitis C, a notoriously difficult-to-manage liver disease, two new studies show.
The drug works not only in patients just starting treatment, but in those who failed earlier treatment, the research found.
The hepatitis C virus can lurk in the body for years, causing liver damage, cirrhosis and even liver failure. Read more »
Support evidence-based drug policy
Voice your opposition to costly mandatory minimum sentencing
Sign to support evidence-based drug policy
The federal government of Canada is currently considering Bill S-10, which proposes legislative amendments that, among other things, would introduce mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain drug-related offenses. Research clearly demonstrates that mandatory minimum sentences are extremely expensive to the taxpayer and do not meaningfully improve public health and safety nor reduce drug use or crime in our communities.
We invite other concerned health practitioners, scientists, researchers and academics in Canada to join us in supporting evidence-based drug prevention and treatment initiatives and opposing the introduction of costly and ineffective mandatory minimum sentencing legislation, by signing the letter below.
Thank you!
Please scroll down to read the letter
To sign the letter, click here
Women’s Perspectives – Study Participants Wanted
Women’s Perspectives are Very Important in Guiding Healthcare (Kelowna area study).
Study participants (women over 19 who have received a Hepatitis C diagnosis) wanted for a thesis titled: “Lived Experiences of Women Receiving a Hepatitis C Diagnosis”.
Tell me about your health experience and living with Hepatitis C.
All information shared is confidential.
Participants must be within a 2-hour drive of Kelowna, and the researcher (Donna) will travel to your town/city to talk with you. The ethics are approved through the University of Victoria.
Contact Donna RN BScN (Master of Nursing student) for more information at
donnazuk@uvic.ca or 250-870-1902