Over 6m Australians suffer from liver disease

Liver disease now affects more than six million Australians, or over a quarter of the country's population, according to a new expert report launched on Wednesday by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia and Australian Liver Association.The Australian Liver Association's (ALA) health experts, who commissioned the report, are concerned with the prevalence of liver disease and its impact in the country.The report found the total financial cost of liver disease in Australia was 5.4 billion AU dollars (5.65 billion U.S. dollars) a year.ALA Chairperson and liver specialist Amany Zekry says liver disease must receive prompt attention and urgent recognition as a chronic condition and national health priority."With the number of Australians with liver disease reaching over eight million by 2030 it is imperative we act quickly," she said in a statement."It is responsible for one quarter of all organ transplants and if left untreated, results in liver cancer - our fastest growing form of cancer in Australia."The findings of the report confirm 20 lives are lost every day to chronic liver disease in Australia.The report found 5.5 million Australians now have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most prevalent form of liver disease in Australia.