Jacki Chen is living with HBV, or hepatitis B virus.

It affects over 50% of Asian Americans in the United States.

Since his own diagnosis, he’s been on a mission to spread awareness about the virus, particularly in Asian American Pacific Islander communities, who are more likely to end up with the diagnosis.

Thirty years ago, when Jacki Chen found out his brother’s liver cancer stemmed from hepatitis B, he got tested and learned he and his wife were living with HBV.

HBV is a serious liver infection that could lead to cirrhosis – or even liver cancer, which is the third deadliest cancer worldwide, according to the National Cancer Institute. It’s also the leading cause of cancer deaths among Asian Americans.

“It’s pretty prevalent in Asian countries but most people don’t have symptoms,” says Chen.

The CDC says 2.4 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States. The New Jersey Department of Health says there were nearly 60,000 new residents in the state with HBV from 2010 to 2017. It says that about 35% were aware of their status. It also say that New Jersey averages 2,000 new case reports of HBV per year.

News 12 spoke with gastroenterologist Dr. George Lai about its prevalence in people of Asian descent, and he says some of it is stigma and possibly unsterile practices from the 1980’s.

“Acupuncture in the past, I think some place may not use clean needles. Before 1985, some places in Asian they don’t use disposable needles,” says Lai.

Ten years ago, Chen founded the Taiwan Hepatitis Information & Care Association and works to advocate for and educate other members of his community about how HBV is contracted and to share resources for screening and treatment.

“You need to know your condition, so you can take it in your own hand and be responsible for your own health no one is going to do anything if you don’t speak up or if you don’t get help,” he says.

Dr. Lai says HBV it is treatable and preventable. if you’re living with HBV, there are antiviral treatment options available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anyone 18 and older should be screened for HBV at least once in their lifetime.