Bolton residents are being encouraged to get their livers checked for free on one day next week as a mobile liver screening roadshow comes to the borough.

Taking place on Monday, May 15 at Victoria Square in the town centre, people are being invited to go along to the mobile unit from 10am to 4pm to find out what preventative measures they can take to keep their liver healthy and be offered a free liver scan. 

One in ten adults in Bolton may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, warns the British Liver Trust.

Nine in 10 cases of liver disease are preventable with the main causes being alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis. 

Pamela Healy, chief executive of British Liver Trust, said, “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.

The Bolton News: Mobile liver screening roadshowMobile liver screening roadshow (Image: British Liver Trust)

“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. 

“The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease.

“Approximately 20 per cent of the people we scan need to have further checks.” 

The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can take a free online screening test and find out if they are at risk.

Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-invasive device.

There will be expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy from healthcare professionals who will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise, and healthy living.

If residents can’t attend this event they can still find out if they are at risk and check liver health online by doing the online screening test at https://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener