Ministry of Health: Liver cancer is not associated with Sovaldi

CAIRO – 22 May 2018: Egyptian Ministry of Health refuted in a press statement issued Monday rumors circulated via social media that Sovaldi drug for Hepatitis C causes liver cancer.

The Ministry’s statement explained that 75 percent to 85 percent of Hepatitis C patients develop a chronic hepatitis, 20 percent to 30 percent of the latter become vulnerable to liver fibrosis of the fourth degree (F4). Fourth degree liver fibrosis patients have a high chance of getting cancer, whether hepatitis C was cured or not, according to the Ministry’s statement.

“Liver fibrosis increases the chances of being diagnosed with cancer even if the patient was treated from hepatitis C, thus recovered patients should have check up tests to avoid liver fibrosis turning into cancer,” read the Ministry’s statement.

The Ministry of Health confirms that there is no connection between Sovaldi drug and cancer, only F4 liver fibrosis patients can be diagnosed with the latter.