Roadshow urges Hep C testing

A national roadshow starting in Cambridge is urging people to be tested for Hepatitis C. Almost 10 thousand people across the region have the disease, but more than half are undiagnosed.

The virus is called the silent killer because it does not have any symptoms, but it is curable if it is caught early. Despite that, The Hepatitis C Trust says that approximately only 3 per cent of those living with the virus receive treatment each year.

Visiting towns and cities across England and Wales,The Talk, Test, Treat roadshow runs from the 15th to the 25th of July and aims to help local NHS services identify patients.

Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust said: "If you think you have ever been at risk of hepatitis C, get tested. It can save your life... People are needlessly dying from this preventable and curable disease because they simply don't know they have it."

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus which, if untreated, can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. If it is caught early though, it can be treated and cleared.