A mobile screening check will be visiting two East Lancashire towns this week and people at risk of liver disease are being encouraged to come down.
The British Liver Trust says one in 10 adults in Blackburn may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages.
East Lancashire NHS Trust has partnered with the British Liver Trust to offer liver health checks to people at risk of the disease by bringing the charity’s Love Your Liver unit to the town centre.
People who live with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, drink alcohol in large quantities, or are at risk of viral hepatitis, are invited to visit the mobile unit between 10am and 4pm on Friday, November 24 outside the town hall.
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The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can find out if they are at risk. Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-evasive device.
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals will also provide expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy including diet, exercise, and healthy living.
Pamela Healy, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “We are delighted East Lancashire NHS Trust has hired our Love Your Liver mobile unit, allowing them to bring information and guidance about preventative liver disease to the people of Blackburn.
“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.
“Approximately 10 per cent of the people scanned at the British Liver Trust’s mobile Love Your Liver events nationwide need to have further checks.”
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The trust’s campaign focusses on three steps to get livers 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
In addition to visiting Blackburn, the mobile unit will also head to Burnley on Saturday, November 25, on St James’ Street.
Anyone unable to attend the events can still find out if they are at risk and check their liver health online by doing an online screening test on the British Liver Trust’s website.
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