By Carol William-Powell for Talking Health TV –

A new initiative is bringing vital liver health checks directly to communities across West Yorkshire in an effort to detect liver disease and cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

The West Yorkshire Liver Care Operational Delivery Network (WYLCODN), a managed NHS network dedicated to treating hepatitis C and other liver-related diseases, is spearheading the Community Liver Health Checks project.

Hosted by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the network also collaborates with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust to ensure comprehensive liver treatment services are accessible across the region.

Addressing the Rising Cases of Liver Cancer

With cases of liver cancer rising by 50% over the past decade, early detection has never been more crucial.

Currently, only a third to half of all liver cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, significantly reducing treatment options and survival rates.

The mobile liver health checks aim to change that by identifying individuals at high risk and referring them for further monitoring and care.

Who is Eligible for Screening?

The initiative prioritises two key groups:

• Priority Group 1: Individuals with viral hepatitis (B or C), alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), and those over 50 with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
• Priority Group 2: Individuals with a history of or risk factors for hepatitis B or C, excessive alcohol consumption, and those over 50 with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

How the Mobile Clinic Works

A mobile clinic vehicle is making stops at community locations, addiction services, and primary care facilities, offering free fibroscan screenings.

The portable fibroscan device assesses liver stiffness, a key indicator of fibrosis or scarring.

Individuals found to have significant liver damage are referred to hospital specialists for further assessment and potential enrolment in liver cancer surveillance programmes.

At open community events, members of the public who meet the criteria are encouraged to request a scan.

They will be booked in to see a nurse for an assessment before undergoing the quick, non-invasive screening. Those with concerning results will be directed to local hospitals for further investigations.

Find Out More

Residents can find out more about liver disease and check when the mobile clinic will be in their area by visiting the WYLCODN website at www.westyorkshirelivercareodn.nhs.uk.

By making liver health checks more accessible, this initiative hopes to improve early detection rates, offering people the best possible chance for successful treatment and a healthier future.