AAA event highlights need for men to get tested

Research shows that men are approximately six times more likely to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) than women and that the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age – at the age of 65, about 1 in every 40 men will have an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme offers testing to all men in their 65th year, and nearly one year on since it was rolled out across Northern Ireland, a men’s event was held on Thursday 25 April which brought together healthcare professionals and men who have been through the programme and had an aneurysm detected.

The purpose of the event was to get feedback on their experience and to suggest any improvements that could be made to the screening programme.

Dr Adrian Mairs, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA (Public Health Agency), and project lead for the Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme, said: “Each year around 90 people in Northern Ireland die from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme was introduced in June 2012 to reduce the number of AAA-related deaths. The programme invites men who are more at risk of developing an AAA to be screened. To date over 6,000 men have benefited from the screening programme.”

The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if:

• You smoke

• You have high blood pressure

• Your brother, sister or parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Dr Mairs continued: “The purpose of the event was to bring together those working in prevention and early detection and those responsible for the provision of clinical services and follow-up support to reflect on key developments within the field.

“Furthermore, the event provided an opportunity for people involved in AAA screening services and support to take stock and consider the recommendations from those who have been through the programme and to identify priorities that will shape the future of the programme in Northern Ireland.

“To date we have had excellent uptake rates, with 82% of those invited to be screening taking up the offer. However we cannot afford to be complacent and would like to see all men attending when invited. The test is simple, quick and painless and it could save your life.” Dr Mairs concluded.

Vaughan Byrne, a 65 year-old retired rare breeds farmer, musician and HGV driver, from Dromara, County Down had only just retired when the letter arrived, inviting him to attend Downpatrick Hospital for an AAA scan.  Vaughan explains: “My wife, Sandra, read out the conditions and reasons for the scan.  I thought I would not bother with it.  Sandra, though, suggested (insisted!) I take the opportunity to go - “What harm could it do?”  I reluctantly agreed.

“I was told after my scan that I had a large aneurysm in the upper part of my abdomen.  Within two weeks of the initial scan I was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital for my operation on the 7th Dec 2012.  At every stage I was kept fully informed as to what was happening and the team were brilliant in conveying all aspects of the procedure, including the negatives.  In particular, the Vascular Nurse Specialist was excellent.”

Vaughan is encouraging other men who are reluctant to attend for screening to do so; it could save their life: “Since my operation many of my friends aged 65 and over have enquired about the AAA Screening Programme.  My advice to them has been to get checked out.  I would also suggest that anyone who receives an invitation to have the AAA scan should make sure they attend. The care that I received during and after my operation was excellent.  I now fully appreciate the work of surgeons, doctors and nursing staff.”