Last chance to participate in pioneering Liver Health Pilot
Brunel Medical Practice patients at risk of liver disease are being urged to take advantage of a pioneering programme before it comes to an end.
A group of Torbay GP practices, including Brunel Medical Practice, are running the liver health initiative, which aims to help diagnose liver disease at an early stage.
While take-up for the Torbay pilot has been good compared to other areas of the country, more than two-thirds of people invited to participate are yet to do so. And with the programme ending in December, time is running out.
The 855 patients to come forward have received an initial blood test and around a fifth of those have required further tests and investigations. This includes a fibroscan – an ultrasound test to measure inflammation in your liver.
As well as those invited, participating practices are also asking people to come forward if they think they may fall into a high-risk category:
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Hepatitis B or C
- Type 2 diabetes and obesity (a BMI over 30)
- Alcohol intake of more than 30 units per week (equal to approximately two bottles of wine).
The practices taking part are Brunel Medical Practice, Chelston Hall Surgery, Croft Hall Medical Practice and Southover Medical Practice which work together as Torquay Primary Care Network (PCN).
Louise Campbell, clinical director at Tawazun Health, which provides fibroscan services for the programme, said: “Our liver health is associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes and is the one organ that we can all alter to improve many aspects of our overall health.
“The quick fibroscan test has seen great engagement locally, informing patients about their liver’s health in real-time and offering small lifestyle changes.
“This not only affects the patient but, as liver health runs in families, can also assist their children and grandchildren.”
Dr Matt Jordan, project lead for the programme, added: “The symptoms of liver disease rarely show in the early stages, so finding ways of detecting issues is crucial.
“However, we know there are many more people in the area who fall into the high-risk categories, and we would encourage them to also come forward.
“So, if you’ve been invited, or are registered with a participating practice and think the risk factors apply to you, please get in touch with your practice to find out more.”
Torquay PCN is one of just 12 early diagnosis pilot programmes being run across England. The results will potentially be used to develop a national programme to help diagnose liver cancer at an early stage.
It was selected by NHS England as part of a nationwide effort to improve detection rates, as signs of liver disease are notoriously difficult to spot.
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and has a significant effect on our overall well-being. It helps fight infections and remove harmful substances and toxins from the blood.
The liver gives us energy quickly in an emergency and, when we need it, converts its stores of glycogen back into glucose.
Around 6,200 people are diagnosed with liver cancer each year. However, the incidence of liver cancer has increased by 50% over the past decade and is expected to continue to rise.
Evidence suggests more than 50% of liver cancers aren’t diagnosed until stage 3 or 4. One of the reasons for this is that liver cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages.
Plus, symptoms that can show are non-specific and are therefore often missed. These can include weight loss, jaundice, itching, nausea, swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, a lump in the right side of your abdomen or pain in your right shoulder.
You can find out more about liver health at: