Roadshow comes to Whitehaven to find those unaware they have liver damage

A mobile liver screening roadshow is coming to Whitehaven on October 7. 

NCIC's Hepatology Team has hired the British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver mobile unit and it will be visiting the Sports Centre car park, Castle Meadows from 10am to 4pm.

Find out what preventative measures you can take to keep their liver healthy and take a free liver scan and blood test for viral hepatitis. The team will be there to discuss how to keep your liver healthy and will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise and healthy living.

The main causes of liver disease are alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis, which are preventable.  Other causes of liver disease are genetic, environmental, autoimmune, prolonged use of certain medications and toxins, and bile duct obstruction. One in ten adults in the North West may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, warns the British Liver Trust.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of British Liver Trust, said: “One in three of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate.  Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible."

NCIC has worked closely with the British liver trust and promotes the “ Love Your Liver campaign”

The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health:

1.    Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week

2.    Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise

3.    Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk

The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can take a free online screening test and find out if they are at risk. Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-invasive device.