Why Early Screening for MASH Matters More Than Ever

With cases of MASH/MASLD rising, it is so important that we fight for early screening for this disease.

With MASH linked to other conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is now more important than ever that we act as soon as possible to introduce an early screening program for this disease.

As a sufferer myself, I think it is so important that we do this, as if it is found early, there is the possibility of reversing this disease. If not, there is currently no treatment for the advanced stages of the disease.

A global health priority

In May 2026, the WHA (World Health Assembly) officially recognized steatotic liver disease, formerly known as fatty liver disease, as a major global health priority.¹ Not only are 1 in 3 adults affected by this disease², but it has also been confirmed that one in ten children and adolescents worldwide are now suffering from this condition.³

Who should be screened?

In my opinion, adults who are now being diagnosed with medical conditions linked to MASH and MASLD should be screened automatically as a priority.

As adults, we are offered screening tests at certain ages for various health conditions, including:

• It’s recommended that women between the ages of 21 and 30 get a Pap smear at least once every 3 years.⁴
• Men aged 55 are recommended to begin prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening.⁵
• At the age of 45, most adults are recommended to begin screening for colorectal cancer.⁶

I think we should introduce further screening, possibly at age 20, for MASH/MASLD.

Our children are at risk too

MASLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children in the United States. Researchers estimate that close to 10 percent of U.S. children ages two to 19 – about six million children – have MASLD.⁷

That is one child too many. We owe it to our children to fight for early MASH screening. We need to educate our children from an early age, as these numbers are scary.

I really think our children deserve the same opportunity to be screened for MASH/MASLD, even if we introduce some form of education about it in secondary schools. In the third year of secondary school, or year 9 as it is now known, what if students were introduced to the risk factors of MASH/MASLD? This would provide an opportunity to educate students about the liver and the damage it can sustain. They could also potentially be eligible for a liver function blood test or FibroScan as part of early liver disease screening.

We have all seen on the high street how many fast food shops are opening. I see children walking home from school every day with their takeaways, not knowing what damage they are doing to themselves.

These numbers absolutely frighten me, as I suffer from MASH and was misdiagnosed for 28 years.

Protecting future generations with early MASH screening

I would like to appeal to the drug companies out there looking for a cure to look at these numbers and possibly help to set up early MASH screening programs.

I hope I can speak for all of us patients and say that we really appreciate the hard work you do to find a cure, and that we, as patients, help by letting you use us in your trials to bring a drug to market for future patients.

Again, think about the numbers and the amount of money that can be made from that drug.

Please take this on board, look at the number of future sufferers, and help with the prevention of this disease and stop it getting even more out of control than it is today.

Please think about our future generations who will potentially be sufferers of this disease. As I said, 1 in 10 children is 1 child too many. We can’t let it get any worse.