The British Liver Trust is urging Portsmouth residents to visit the Love Your Liver mobile screening unit in Commercial Road, Portsmouth on March 6th 2020 to help prevent them joining the growing number of liver disease cases in South East England.
Most liver disease diagnoses are preventable and the Love Your Liver Unit will be in the town centre providing free liver checks. When the Love Your Liver unit came to Portsmouth in October 2018, it was discovered that one in five people scanned had liver damage that required further investigation.
This comes after recent research by the British Liver Trust found that half of patients had no symptoms before being diagnosed with a liver disease.
The roadshow aims to reach the one in five people in the country who may have the early stages of liver disease.
Pamela Healy, chief executive at the British Liver Trust said, “Liver disease affects hundreds of thousands in the UK – and the numbers diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate. It is a silent killer and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until there are signs the damage is often irreversible. I would urge everyone to take the online screener on our website to see if they are at risk and if you are in the area please pop down to our mobile screening unit.”
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 British Liver Trust provides support and detailed information for anyone with, or affected by a liver condition. For more information and details of all the screening events visit: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk//love-your-liver
The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver mobile screening unit will be at Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 1EX.
Anyone wishing to take advantage of this free event should attend between 10am and 3pm. If you wish to be scanned please arrive early as places are limited. If you would like to check your liver health online please visit the British Liver Trust’s screening tool: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener
