Liver scan community scheme expanded to offer more ‘life-saving’ cancer checks

An NHS community scheme which carries out scans to detect liver damage in mobile trucks has been expanded to refer ‘thousands more people’ for ‘life-saving’ cancer checks.

NHS England said that the number of liver scanning teams had doubled in the two years since it was piloted – with 20 roaming teams now offering scans across England.

The scans check for cirrhosis, advanced fibrosis or other signs that could increase the risk of liver cancer. If liver damage is detected, people are referred on for further tests.

Since the programme began, almost 113,000 people (112,831) have had a fibroscan of their liver with almost 8,500 (8,470) getting a referral for vital liver cancer, according to the commissioner.

The programme targets groups with conditions that increase the risk of developing liver cancer, such as:

• People with high levels of alcohol consumption;
• People with a current diagnosis or history of past viral hepatitis;
• People with non-alcoholic liver disease.

Earlier this year, Pulse reported that alcohol-related deaths had reached a record high -many of which deriving from liver disease; which often has no symptoms in the early stages.

The trucks travel to different areas to offer checks at various places, such as GP practices, food banks, diabetes clinics, homeless shelters and more. 

Some scanning teams work with charities and local communities to identify people most in need of tests. Some have partnered with GP practices to scan patients with conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

NHS national cancer director Professor Peter Johnson said: ‘By reaching out into communities and making it easier for people to get checked, we will catch more cancers at an early stage, when the chances of successful treatment are much higher, and this can save lives.

‘This programme has seen thousands more people referred for important further tests, allowing them to get vital treatment sooner alongside the support they need from the NHS to lead healthier lives.

‘It’s a great example of the health service increasing its focus on prevention, as set out in the 10-year health plan.’

In line with the shift from treatment to prevention as laid out by the 10-year health plan, the Government previously announced a pilot to support patients living with obesity, in a bid to ease pressure on GP services, and tackle obesity proactively.