Bassetlaw: Men sign up to life saving health screening

Since the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme was launched last week, 103 men have referred themselves for the ultrasound scan.

The screening examines the aorta in the abdominal area to check for a swollen artery. The AAA condition is caused when the main blood vessel in the abdomen weakens and starts to expand.

Almost 8,500 men who are over 65 this year have already received invitations for screening.

If undetected, the aorta can rupture – a medical emergency that is usually fatal.

Vascular surgeon Mr Ray Cuschieri, clinical lead for the NHS AAA Screening Programme in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw and Deputy Medical Director of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals, said: “It is fantastic to see that so many men have made contact with us since the AAA Screening Programme was announced last week.”

“The programme is extremely important as men who have an AAA do not generally know they have the condition until it is too late, which is why screening is so important. The screening test is simple, painless, non-invasive and usually takes less than 10 minutes. Early detection of AAAs through screening enables us to offer monitoring or treatment, helping to reduce the number of deaths caused by the condition.”

“While the number of men making appointments is very encouraging, I am asking every man who has received an invitation to consider attending for screening to benefit from the programme. I would also extend this invitation to any men aged over 65 who can also make an appointment.”

In England and Wales, an estimated 80,000 men aged between 65 and 74 are affected by AAAs. Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been commissioned to provide the screening programme across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.