Hundreds get free liver scans in Amsterdam as experts warn of surge in liver disease

Approximately 850 people underwent free liver scans this week at the RAI Amsterdam convention center, where the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) held its annual medical conference through Saturday.

Since Tuesday, visitors could walk in to receive a fibroscan — a non-invasive test that measures liver stiffness and fat content. The free screenings drew long lines, highlighting rising public interest in liver health. Dr. Bart Takkenberg of Amsterdam UMC welcomed the turnout, calling the increased attention to the liver “very positive.”

The organization behind the screenings will release data next week on how many participants showed signs of an overly fatty liver. However, the EASL estimates that about 25 percent of Europeans have elevated fat levels in their livers. In the Netherlands, the association is observing a rise in liver cancer cases linked to obesity and alcohol consumption.

According to Takkenberg, early screening can serve as a critical warning. “You want to catch it while there is only fatty liver with early scar formation,” he said. “That’s when you can explain to people what’s going on in their body and what impact they themselves can have.”

Fatty liver disease — often caused by poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle habits — can lead to liver inflammation and, in severe cases, liver cancer. Earlier this year, the MDL Fonds, formerly known as the Maag Lever Darm Stichting (Stomach Liver Bowel Foundation), reported an increase in the number of people requiring liver transplants due to lifestyle-related damage. The MDL Fonds estimates that 4 million people in the Netherlands currently have fatty liver disease. Many are unaware of it, as symptoms typically do not become problematic until later in life.

The EASL conference in Amsterdam brought together liver specialists from across Europe to discuss the latest developments in liver research, treatment, and public health strategies. The free screening initiative ran parallel to the event and served as a public outreach effort to raise awareness of liver disease risks.

Dr. Takkenberg stressed that early detection remains key. “It can be a wake-up call,” he said, adding that liver scans can reveal silent but potentially dangerous health issues in time for people to make meaningful changes.