Experts are warning that one in 10 people could be living with a 'silent' killer condition that has no symptoms.
New figures released by the British Liver Trust reveal that one in ten people that were scanned at the charity’s Love Your Liver roadshow in the North West in 2023 had signs of possible liver damage. Attendees at the roadshow took part in an online screening test to assess whether they were at risk and then had a liver scan to spot any signs of damage.
The trust scanned over 2000 people, with almost 10% of attendees having potential indicators of liver disease. In the North West 11,625 people were admitted to hospital with liver disease in 2021/22.
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Some 90% of these hospital admissions could have prevented as the majority of liver disease is caused by excess weight and diet or drinking too much alcohol.
Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “Liver disease develops silently with no signs or symptoms. At the moment, three quarters of people are diagnosed with cirrhosis at a point when it is too late for effective treatment.
"People therefore often don’t realise they have a problem until the damage is irreversible. However, if found early damage can be halted and sometimes reversed.
“The numbers of people found to have possible liver damage at our roadshows is particularly shocking because our roadshow is not specifically targeting people at risk. It allows anyone who happens to be in the town a chance to find out more about liver disease and to have a free non-invasive scan.
"Liver disease is therefore likely to affect far more people than previously thought.”
Although the liver can regenerate itself, it can only handle so much. The British Liver Trust is asking people to make three changes to improve their liver health, which include; Drinking less than 14 units of alcohol and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week, eating a healthy diet and doing more exercise.
The British Liver Trust is also urging people to take their confidential ‘At Risk’ screening tool: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/at-risk-screener/
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