Researchers from McMaster University in Canada and Khon Kaen University in Thailand are leading a new $1.6 million study to enhance and evaluate the Thai-developed Community-Based Health Education and Communication (CHEC) model. This grant was awarded from a Team Grant Competition (primary and secondary prevention of cancer) from the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).
Liver cancer is highly prevalent in Thailand, particularly a form called cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Liver cancer has been the leading cause of death among Thai people for more than 20 years, with more than 15,000 people dying each year from this disease. Infection by a type of parasite called flukes is one of the main factors contributing to CCA. In 2015, the CHEC was developed to help reduce these infections.