The British Liver Trust and NHS Lanarkshire are encouraging members of the public in Bellshill, Motherwell and Wishaw to get their liver checked for free next week with the arrival of a mobile liver screening roadshow. The roadshow will be at:
- Morrisons, John Street, Bellshill, ML4 1RJ on Wednesday 23rd August
- Motherwell Shopping Centre ML1 1RB on Thursday 24th August
- Caledonian Retail Park, Wishaw ML2 7UR on Friday 25th August.
The roadshow offers a unique chance for individuals to prioritise their liver health by receiving free liver screenings and gaining valuable information about various types of liver disease. Visitors to the unit will have the opportunity to undergo a free FibroScan, a non-invasive liver scan, and a swab test for hepatitis C if they are identified as being at high risk. These screenings are crucial as liver diseases, including hepatitis C, can often develop silently and lead to severe complications if left undetected.
Nine in 10 cases of liver disease are preventable with the main causes being alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis, including hepatitis C.
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.
“The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease. Approximately 10% of the people we scan need to have further checks.”
This roadshow is part of a series that the British Liver Trust has partnered with NHS Lanarkshire to deliver across Lanarkshire. The aim is to find hundreds of individuals who remain unaware of their hepatitis C infection. It is estimated that approximately 9,000 people in Scotland are living with hepatitis C, with only half of these cases diagnosed, highlighting the pressing need for proactive testing initiatives.
Jonathan Worsfold, project delivery manager at the British Liver Trust, says: “We are pleased that NHS Lanarkshire has made a commitment to actively seek out those who are currently unaware of their hepatitis C infection. Our message is clear: if you have ever experimented with drugs (even in the past), had unprotected sex with someone who may have the virus, or obtained a tattoo while traveling abroad, we urge you to get tested to ensure your well-being. Effective new treatments are now available to cure the virus, which typically presents no symptoms in its early stages."
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. 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.
If you can’t attend this 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
