TGP practices selected for liver cancer detection pilot

A group of Torbay GP practices have been selected to take part in an NHS England pilot programme that aims to diagnose liver cancer at an early stage.

The programme involves patients aged over 16 who fall into one of the ‘high-risk’ categories and are registered with one of the participating practices.

The practices taking part are the Brunel, Chelston Hall, Croft Hall and Southover Medical Practices which, together, form the Torquay Primary Care Network (PCN).

To be eligible for the programme, patients must fall within one of the ‘high-risk’ groups:

• Suffered alcohol-related liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

• Suffered hepatitis C, hepatitis B or type 2 diabetes

• Drink more than 30 units of alcohol per week.

Practices have contacted patients known to be in the high-risk groups and asked them to make an appointment for an initial blood test.

However, the pilot is keen to involve as many patients as possible. So, if patients fall into the above criteria and have not already been contacted, they should get in touch with their practice for more details.

• Brunel Medical Practice – 01803 312233

• Chelston Hall Surgery – 01803 605359

• Croft Hall Medical Practice – 01803 298441

• Southover Medical Practice – 01803 327100

Depending on the results of an initial blood test, patients will either be offered liver health and wellbeing advice, a second blood test or a fibroscan, which measures inflammation of the liver.

Torquay PCN is one of just 12 early diagnosis pilot programmes being held throughout England. The results will be used to potentially develop a national programme to help diagnose liver cancer at an early stage as the symptoms of the disease are difficult to detect.

Around 6,200 people are diagnosed with liver cancer each year. However, incidence of liver cancer has increased by 50% over the past decade and is expected to continue to rise.

Evidence suggests more than 50% of liver cancers aren’t diagnosed until stage 3 or 4. One of the reasons for this is that liver cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages.

Plus, symptoms that can show are non-specific and are therefore often missed. These can include weight loss, jaundice, itching, nausea, swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, a lump in the right side of your abdomen or pain in your right shoulder.