Free liver screening for Amsterdam residents at RAI Amsterdam
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
From 7 to 10 May, residents of Amsterdam will have the opportunity to receive a free liver health check at RAI Amsterdam. The screening is part of the EASL Congress (European Association of the Study of the Liver), which brings together thousands of doctors, nurses, and scientists from around the world. This initiative, organised by EASL, RAI Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, aims to raise awareness about liver health, particularly because liver problems often develop without noticeable symptoms until the later stages.
The tests are free and available to everyone aged 18+. Screenings will be conducted in tiny houses located on the square in front of Entrance C of the RAI. Both local residents and congress attendees are welcome to visit the site daily without an appointment. A test takes approximately ten minutes, and it is advised not to eat in the four hours prior to the screening. The liver test is painless and is carried out by medical professionals, who will use a method called FibroScan. This scan measures the speed at which sound waves travel through the liver, allowing doctors to assess the liver’s health. Results are available immediately and will be explained by a doctor or nurse.
Many people are unaware
"Early detection can prevent a wide range of health problems, especially as liver diseases are often only diagnosed at a late stage," says Dr Bart Takkenberg, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Amsterdam UMC. "It is estimated that two million people in the Netherlands have a fatty liver. Many are unaware of this. Around 400,000 people are at risk of developing serious liver damage or liver cancer. The main causes are lifestyle-related: excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight, and unhealthy eating habits. We are seeing a strong rise in liver cancer caused by fatty liver disease. Ten years ago, I saw one patient per week with liver cancer. Today, I sometimes see up to four. By offering accessible testing, we may be able to reverse this trend."
To engage younger audiences, the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, in collaboration with EASL, is organising the Love Your Liver Project for schools. Pupils in 5th and 6th grade (ages 10–12) will receive lessons on the importance of liver health and making healthy lifestyle choices, led in part by gastroenterologists from Amsterdam UMC and Haaglanden Medical Centre (HMC).
Visitors to the test site will also be able to walk through an inflatable liver- an educational experience for both young and old. With this initiative, RAI Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, part of amsterdam&partners, aim to demonstrate that international congresses can also make a positive local impact. More information about the liver testing and schools programme is available here.
About EASL
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is a medical association with more than 7,700 members worldwide. EASL is committed to promoting awareness, prevention, and the best possible care for patients with liver diseases. The EASL Congress 2025 will bring together over 8,000 international participants for unparalleled scientific exchange, collaboration, and education.
The tests are free and available to everyone aged 18+. Screenings will be conducted in tiny houses located on the square in front of Entrance C of the RAI. Both local residents and congress attendees are welcome to visit the site daily without an appointment. A test takes approximately ten minutes, and it is advised not to eat in the four hours prior to the screening. The liver test is painless and is carried out by medical professionals, who will use a method called FibroScan. This scan measures the speed at which sound waves travel through the liver, allowing doctors to assess the liver’s health. Results are available immediately and will be explained by a doctor or nurse.
Many people are unaware
"Early detection can prevent a wide range of health problems, especially as liver diseases are often only diagnosed at a late stage," says Dr Bart Takkenberg, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Amsterdam UMC. "It is estimated that two million people in the Netherlands have a fatty liver. Many are unaware of this. Around 400,000 people are at risk of developing serious liver damage or liver cancer. The main causes are lifestyle-related: excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight, and unhealthy eating habits. We are seeing a strong rise in liver cancer caused by fatty liver disease. Ten years ago, I saw one patient per week with liver cancer. Today, I sometimes see up to four. By offering accessible testing, we may be able to reverse this trend."
To engage younger audiences, the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, in collaboration with EASL, is organising the Love Your Liver Project for schools. Pupils in 5th and 6th grade (ages 10–12) will receive lessons on the importance of liver health and making healthy lifestyle choices, led in part by gastroenterologists from Amsterdam UMC and Haaglanden Medical Centre (HMC).
Visitors to the test site will also be able to walk through an inflatable liver- an educational experience for both young and old. With this initiative, RAI Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, part of amsterdam&partners, aim to demonstrate that international congresses can also make a positive local impact. More information about the liver testing and schools programme is available here.
About EASL
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is a medical association with more than 7,700 members worldwide. EASL is committed to promoting awareness, prevention, and the best possible care for patients with liver diseases. The EASL Congress 2025 will bring together over 8,000 international participants for unparalleled scientific exchange, collaboration, and education.
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