Community Liver Health Checks - December 2024
Community Liver Health Checks are now available in West Bromwich, Rowley Regis and Tipton. This initiative is a key component of a broader programme aimed at facilitating earlier diagnosis of liver cancer and improving patient experiences.
The NHS Cancer Programme has partnered with the National Hepatitis C Elimination Programme to provide mobile fibroscans and other diagnostic services to individuals at high risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
We want to reassure you that this initiative will not place any additional burden on GP practices. Any patients requiring follow-up care after a fibroscan will be referred directly to secondary care, and a courtesy letter will be sent to their GP for awareness.
Fibroscans will be offered to adults in the following high-risk groups:
- Individuals with, previously had, or at risk of Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B
- Those with more than 10 years of excessive alcohol consumption, regardless of whether they have subsequently reduced or stopped their alcohol intake
- Individuals with or suspected of having Alcohol-Related Liver Disease (ARLD):
- are obese or overweight – particularly if you have a lot of fat around your waist (an "apple-like" body shape)
- have type 2 diabetes
- have a condition that affects how your body uses insulin
- are insulin resistance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
- have an underactive thyroid
- have high blood pressure
- have high cholesterol
- have metabolic syndrome (a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity)
- are over the age of 50
- smoke
