A TWICE-yearly scan could save the lives of thousands of Londoners from the fastest-rising cancer in the UK.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is projected to increase by 40% by 2035.
The aggressive form of liver cancer is primarily fuelled by increases in alcohol consumption, obesity and Hepatitis B, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver.
London North West was one of two hospital trusts chosen to improve uptake of the potentially life-saving abdominal ultrasound.
Katy Hyams, a clinical nurse specialist at Ealing Hospital, tasked with identifying and improving the number of patients needing the twice-yearly scan, said:”It took some detective work going through patients’ records.
“Our records went from 160 identifiable patients to 660 and our non-compliance rate has subsequently dropped from 84% to 20% in the past year.
“An early diagnosis makes a huge difference as HCC is almost impossible to detect without an abdominal scan, yet it’s very treatable if caught early.”
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