19. What tests are recommended for people with chronic hepatitis B?

If you don't have cirrhosis, just chronic hepatitis B, we recommend from the age of 30 (we choose 30 because if you look at the liver cancer rates for this country, the liver cancer rates start go up at 30, especially for those with chronic hepatitis B from childhood), twice a year AFP level and once a year ultrasound. If you rely only on the AFP, you will miss half the liver cancer. AFP will only pick up about 60% of the cancer - you need the imaging study to pick up the lesions - it is just like breast cancer - early detection gives you a better chance of surgical removal of the tumor and a better chance of long-term outcome.