Liver health roadshow heading to Wales this October to find those at risk of liver disease

Posted on: 4th October 2019

The Love Your Liver mobile screening and scanning unit will be visiting locations across Wales from 10th to 16th October 2019.

800 people die from liver disease in Wales each year[1] and the British Liver Trust estimates that over 90% of these cases could have been prevented.

Members of the public are invited to the Love Your Liver roadshow where they can assess their risk of getting liver disease, find out what preventative measures they can take to keep their liver healthy and be offered a free liver scan.  Approximately one in five who have a scan at the Love Your Liver roadshows are found to have liver damage that requires further investigation.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive, 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.

“The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease and the first one hundred people to attend will receive a free non-invasive scan. Approximately 20% of the people we scan need to have further checks.”

The three main causes of liver disease are alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis. The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health:

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

·      Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise

·      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. There will be expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy from healthcare professionals who will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise and healthy living.

The roadshow will be visiting the following locations

Location Date and time
Holyhead - Market Square LL65 1UF Thursday 10/10/2019
Llandudno - North Western Gardens LL30 2NS Friday 11/10/2019
Rhyl - Rhyl Leisure Centre LL18 4BY Saturday 12/10/2019
Newtown - High Street SY16 2NX Monday 14/10/2019
Carmarthen - Guild Hall Square SA31 1QB Tuesday 15/10/2019
Merthyr Tydfil - Penderyn Square CF47 8AE Wednesday 16/10/2019

Anyone wishing to take advantage of these free events should attend between 10am and 4pm. If you wish to be scanned please arrive early as places are limited. If you can’t attend the event you can still find out if you are at risk and check your liver health online by doing the online screening test at https://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener.

[1] NHS Wales / Welsh government, Liver disease: annual statement of progress, 2017 http://www.cavs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/FinalWelsh-profiles-2-1.compressed-2.pdf