Free screenings for liver damage

READING residents will be able to take advantage of a drop-in liver check up, as one in five could be affected by liver disease.

The British Liver Trust is encouraging people to come forward for a free health check as part of their new campaign, the Love Your Liver roadshow.

Their campaign will see a mobile liver screening unit travel around the country, stopping in Reading on Wednesday, June 15.

The service will be available outside Sainsbury’s on Broad Street between 10am-4pm.

The British Liver Trust warns that one-in-five people may be suffering from liver disease without knowing.

It also notes that nine in 10 cases of liver disease are considered preventable.

Pamela Healy, chief executive of British Liver

Trust, said, “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 campaign also focuses on three simple steps to promote liver health.

People are recommended to drink within recommended limits of alcohol, and have three consecutive days off from consuming alcohol each week.

They are also encouraged to cut down on sugars, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as engage in more exercise.

The BLT is also encouraging awareness of the risk factors of viral hepatitis, recommending that people get tested, and those at risk get vaccinated.

Ms Healy said: “One in five 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.