Calling hepatitis B and C a "silent epidemic" in Hawai'i, organizers of a symposium set for today aim to shed more light on the diseases and get more physicians and patients to acknowledge their threat.

The gathering at the Queen's Conference Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. will feature perspectives on hepatitis from doctors, patients, insurance companies and others who deal with the diseases, which can lead to more serious health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

"There's a big problem with hepatitis here," said Dr. Alan Tice, an associate professor at the University of Hawai'i's John A. Burns School of Medicine.

"A lot of people aren't aware how big it is."

Tice said Hawai'i's population probably has higher risk because of greater numbers of people here from Asia and Pacific Islands, where rates are higher than those found in the United States. Rates in those regions range from 7 percent of the population to 20 percent, according to the Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii.

Hepatitis also can show up in former drug users who've shared needles, people who've been tattooed with dirty instruments or those who've shared razors or toothbrushes, Tice said. The incubation period for the diseases can be more than 10 years.

Tice said hepatitis C can be treated successfully in two-thirds of the cases if detected early enough, while hepatitis B can be knocked down.

The symposium is being sponsored by the Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii. Ken Akinaka, executive director of the group, said they hope to raise awareness of hepatitis among physicians and the public.

"We really want to educate medical providers and the public at large about the silent epidemic," Akinaka said.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.