Screening migrant communities and injecting drug users would help detect and treat people at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, researchers say.

They acknowledge, however, that their study flagged difficulties in persuading patients to remain in care long-term.

Associate Professor Amany Zekry, head of the gastroenterology and hepatology department at St George Hospital in Kogarah, Sydney, led the intervention, setting up a screening program run by two nurse consultants (one fluent in Mandarin) in southeast Sydney.

The program was delivered in close partnership with community associations serving groups at risk of viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease, such as East Asian migrants and injecting drug users.