Tired, bloating, no appetite? Find out about a free screening for fatty liver disease

If you think you are at risk of developing fatty liver disease, or know someone who might be, you may be eligible for free screening organised by 365 Cancer Prevention Society (365CPS) and Roche. The event is happening from now until Aug 31.

Risk factors for fatty liver disease include hypertension, high cholesterol or having a family history of those conditions. Being obese or diabetic can also increase your risk as can carriers of Hepatitis B or C. 

To be eligible for the free screening, you'll have to be between 50 and 70 years old, and possess a valid blue or orange CHAS card. You must also meet at least two of the three following criteria:

• Have at least one first-degree relative such as parent, sibling or offspring diagnosed with chronic liver disease
• Have a BMI that is higher than 27.5
• Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes

Eligible individuals will undergo a fatty liver disease screening comprising the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) blood test as well as pre-and post-screening consultation with 365CPS’s medical partner. High-risk individuals will be issued a referral letter for further follow-ups.

WHY SCREENING IS IMPORTANT

The early, non-specific signs of fatty liver disease, such as tiredness, nausea, bloating and loss of appetite, are often not detected by patients, causing the disease to be missed until it progresses to more serious conditions such as cirrhosis (scarring) and liver cancer. According to 365CPS, only 20 per cent of primary liver cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.

Liver cancer is the fifth-most common cancer among men and third-highest cause of death in both genders in Singapore.

You can find out more about the signs of liver cancer from Dr Mark Muthiah, a senior consultant with National University Hospital’s Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology via a Facebook Live event on Jul 13, 8.30pm.

Find out more about the screening campaign and fatty liver disease here.