Londonderry/Derry man hails life-saving screening programme

A Londonderry/Derry man has spoken of his relief when a simple scan detected a potentially life-threatening condition – an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 and over to consider taking up the offer of screening for this serious condition.

The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body, and runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (belly). As some people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out to form an aneurysm, rather like a bulge in a worn tyre. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm and can be fatal if it ruptures.

The AAA screening programme was introduced across Northern Ireland three years ago to reduce AAA-related deaths by inviting men to a scan in the year they turn 65.

Matthew Cadden from Londonderry/Derry, known to friends as Don, knows all too well how vital this health check is.

Don had no worries about his health when he received the letter from the Northern Ireland AAA screening programme inviting him to go along for a scan.

Don explains: “In March 2014 I received the letter to attend for AAA screening at the local health centre. I was in no way concerned about attending and thought ‘why not?’ – any health check has to be a positive step to looking after my health.”

Don was shown into the scanning room where the procedure was explained to him. The test was simple and pain-free. Some gel was applied to his skin and an ultrasound scanner was moved across his abdomen.

The scan detected that Don had a medium-sized aortic aneurysm. As most AAAs grow very slowly, men with a small or medium AAA may never develop a large AAA but will be monitored to see if it grows.

Don continued: “The scan only took 15 minutes, and afterwards I was told by the technician that I had a medium-sized aortic aneurysm. She gave me an information leaflet and said at this stage I only needed to be monitored. Since then I have been screened every three months to keep an eye on any changes and have had appointments with the vascular nurse specialists. The screening programme is very organised and I have felt fully informed, reassured and supported throughout.

“In my opinion the 15 minute simple scan has been well worthwhile and I would strongly advise all men who are invited to take up the offer of screening. Men over the age of 65 can refer themselves for screening and I would definitely recommend that they do.”

Each year around 80 to 100 people in Northern Ireland die from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Most people with the condition will not know that they have an aneurysm as they rarely have symptoms, but it is often life-threatening if it ruptures.

Research shows that men are six times more likely to have this type of aneurysm than women and the chance of having one increases with age. The good news is that if an aneurysm is detected early it can be monitored and, if necessary, treated. Screening men aged 65 using an ultrasound scan reduces the death rate from ruptured AAAs by around 50%.

Dr Adrian Mairs, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA and public health lead for the Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme, said: “Approximately one in every 50 men aged 65 will have an abdominal aortic aneurysm but usually don’t know they have it. However, AAAs are easy to detect by a simple painless scan which can reduce deaths from the disease. With this in mind, the Northern Ireland AAA Screening Programme was introduced in 2012.

“Men are invited to attend in the year they turn 65. Older men can phone the screening office and request a screening appointment. The phone number is (028) 9063 1828. The programme now provides screening at 20 different locations.

“It is extremely encouraging to see that, since the introduction of the screening programme, over 80 percent of men invited have attended each year – almost 25,000 in total – with over 450 AAAs detected in that time.”

The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm is increased if:

• You smoke

• You have high blood pressure

• Your brother, sister or parent has, or had, an AAA.

“I encourage all men who receive an appointment for AAA screening to take up the offer of this quick and painless health check,” Dr Mairs concluded.

Those eligible for screening will receive an invitation leaflet in the post at the home address provided by their GP. It is therefore important that your GP has your most up-to-date address and correct date of birth or you may miss the chance to take part in the programme.

For more information see www.aaascreening.info