Sir Gavin Williamson attended a Parliamentary event to raise awareness for liver health as well as the importance of detecting liver disease as soon as possible.
The event was hosted alongside the British Liver Trust – the UK’s leading liver health charity which is working to improve liver health for all whilst supporting those living with liver disease or cancer.
In the UK, there are more than 10,000 deaths due to liver disease each year, and it is the only major disease where deaths are rising. Symptoms include but are not exclusive to: feeling very tired and weak all the time, loss of appetite, yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, and feeling or being sick.
There are certain measures that people can take to avoid liver disease including maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and lowering alcohol consumption.
Sir Gavin said: “I welcomed the opportunity to attend British Liver Trust’s Parliamentary event in order to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of liver disease.
“It is concerning that liver disease is the only major disease where deaths are rising. I welcome action taken into research of this condition, but also recognise the importance of increasing awareness of how to prevent the disease occurring in the first place.
“The British Liver Trust are a fantastic charity who work incredibly hard to support those with liver disease as well as their families, and I am grateful for all they do for Staffordshire residents.”
