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In a collaboration facilitated by Imperial Consultants, Professor Simon Taylor-Robinson from the Department of Medicine joined presenters Julia Bradbury, Phil Tufnell and Dr Phil Hammond, along with a team of experts and NHS volunteers, in screening almost four hundred people in Manchester, the most people ever to be screened in one place in Britain.

Screening for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and liver disease

In addition to tests for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the “Long Live Britain” screening offered Fibroscans, a non-invasive method of quantifying hepatic fibrosis, to patients who showed an increased risk of liver disease. These were interpreted by Professor Taylor-Robinson, who referred patients on for further tests if necessary, including ultrasounds to obtain a more accurate picture of the fat levels in the liver.

‘Largely preventable’

Liver disease has risen by 450% in the past 30 years, with the vast majority of an estimated two million sufferers unaware that they have the disease. Together with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, these conditions collectively kill 200,000 people per year.

Prof. Taylor-Robinson comments:

“Unless diagnosed early, liver disease can severely affect quality of life and lead to premature death. The death statistics are shocking given that all three of the diseases addressed in this programme are largely preventable. It is vital that we try and improve awareness and understanding of these conditions among the general public”.

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