TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — According to the Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, 54.8% of Taiwanese have fatty liver disease, and a growing number of liver cancer cases are being attributed to the condition.

The foundation conducted free abdominal ultrasound screenings at nearly 30 medical institutions across Taiwan on Sunday morning, examining 5,661 individuals. Of those screened, 81.5% were found to have potential liver issues, per CNA.

The screening identified 131 suspected cases of liver cancer, 1,225 cases of benign liver tumors, 98 tumors in the pancreas, spleen, or kidneys, and 2,149 cases of gallstones and kidney stones.

Yang Pei-ming (楊培銘), CEO of the foundation and a liver specialist at National Taiwan University Hospital, said that fatty liver disease is now a common chronic illness in Taiwan that can potentially worsen into hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.

Liver fibrosis is the buildup of scar tissue in the liver from ongoing inflammation. Cirrhosis is a more severe stage of liver scarring, often caused by conditions such as hepatitis or alcohol use disorder. While damage from cirrhosis is typically irreversible, early treatment can help slow or prevent further worsening.

Yang said that widespread hepatitis B vaccination programs have significantly reduced the number of carriers in Taiwan, and new medications have made hepatitis C largely curable. However, he added, fatty liver disease is increasingly prevalent among people under 40, largely due to overnutrition and obesity.

Yang reminded that once fatty liver disease is detected, regular follow-up is essential. He also urged people over 30 to undergo routine blood tests and abdominal ultrasounds at least once a year, as these are the most effective ways to detect any liver issues.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 54,000 individuals in Taiwan died from cancer last year, with liver-related cancers ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.