Hepatitis B affects 12 percent of Cambodians, putting them at risk of liver cancer, among other diseases, a doctor said Thursday.

Hepatitis B is passed from mother to child, but infants should be given a primary vaccine within 48 hours of birth, a booster after one month and a final shot after six months, said Dr. Taing Tek Hong, as a guest of "Hello VOA."

The disease often leads to cancer if it is not detected and treated in time.

There are tests for diagnosis, treatment and prevention, but patients must be aware of them, Taing Tek Hong said.

A healthy diet and regular physical exercise can also help lower the risk for developing this kind of cancer.