MEL Stride, MP for Central Devon, joined the British Liver Trust at their Parliamentary “Love Your Liver Day”.

The event is part of the Charity’s “Love Your Liver Awareness Month” and was attended by 90 MPs and Peers, who met clinicians and patient advocates and learnt about the alarming rise in liver disease across the UK and the urgent need for early diagnosis and prevention.

New data by the British Liver Trust, which highlights significant disparities in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of liver disease across the UK.

The research reveals that 80 per cent of England does not have an effective liver care pathway, highlighting the pressing need for change.

Liver disease is the third leading cause of death in people under the age of 75, and mortality rates have doubled in the last 20 years. Alarmingly, three-quarters of people diagnosed with cirrhosis are only identified when it is too late for effective intervention or treatment.

During the event, MPs and their staff had the opportunity to take a non-invasive liver scan, which measures the stiffness of the liver, and to learn about the British Liver Trust’s vital work.

Mel said: “Too many people in Britain are unaware of the risks of liver disease until it is too late.

“It is shocking that while 90 per cent of liver disease is preventable, mortality rates have increased by 400 per cent since 1970."

Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “Liver disease is a key indicator of the nation’s health – improving prevention, early diagnosis, and patient care is essential to reducing the number of lives lost to liver disease and turning the tide on its rising prevalence in the population.”

The British Liver Trust offers a free Love Your Liver at-risk screener: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener .