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1,000,000th man screened
for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)s
ON 6 January 2016, it was announced
that the screening programme is celebrating success after 29,000 men, in the
North West, have attended their appointments over 2014 to 2015. Also a
significant screening milestone has been reached, with the 1,000,000th 65
year old man, in England, being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
This marks a key achievement for the national NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Screening Programme.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is caused when the main blood vessel in the body
weakens and expands. Most AAAs have no symptoms but, if left untreated,
aneurysms can grow and rupture, which can be fatal. 8 out of every 10 people
with a ruptured AAA die before they reach hospital or fail to survive
emergency surgery.
Since the national programme began in 2009, well over 10,000 aneurysms have
been detected that need monitoring or treatment and more than 2,000 men with
large aneurysms, measuring 5.5cm or wider, have been referred for successful
surgical repairs AAA screening is offered to all men registered with a GP
during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not been screened can
self refer by contacting their local screening programme directly. Contact
details of local programmes are on NHS Choices at:-
NHS.UK/AAA
The aim of the screening programme is to reduce the number of deaths from
AAA rupture through early detection, appropriate monitoring and treatment.
74% of eligible men in the North West took up their invitation for AAA
screening, in 2014 to 2015, revealing how the programme is successfully
engaging with the local population.
The screening involves a simple ultrasound scan that looks for a weakness
and enlargement of the aorta, the main blood vessel in the body. The results
are available straight away.
Dr Anne Mackie, Director of Screening at Public Health England, said:-
"It's great news that one million men have now been screened for AAA. The
death rate after a rupture is about 80%, as many patients die before they
reach hospital. The programme has been a major public health success story
and has proved to be crucial in detecting and treating large aneurysms,
leading to the prevention of premature deaths in men aged 65 years and over.
Screening has its harms as well as benefits and it is important that all
eligible men make an informed choice when deciding whether or not to be
screened for AAA."
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are most common in men aged 65 and over. You are
also at higher risk if you:-
► are a current or former smoker
► have high blood pressure
► have a close family member (parent or sibling) who has, or has had, an AAA
Did you know?
1. The UK National Screening Committee is independent of, but supported by,
Public Health England.
2. Invitations for AAA screening are sent to all men in England aged 65. Men
over the age of 65 can self refer themselves for a screening appointment
through their GP.
3. Current evidence suggests that as women are less likely to get swellings
of the aorta, offering them abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening at the
age of 65 would do more harm than good. Therefore the UK NSC doesn't
currently recommend routine AAA screening for women. However, a review is
underway to see if the offer should be extended to women in the future.
4. Full data for the AAA screening programme is available
online.
5. NICE guidelines are currently being developed around the management and
diagnosis of AAAs.
6. 1 of PHE's key priorities is to support local screening providers in
meeting national waiting time standards; a maximum of 2 weeks from being
referred to being seen by a vascular specialist, and 8 weeks from being
referred to having an operation.
7. Most men are reassured they have a normal result (no aneurysm) and will
not need to be screened again.
Possible screening results...
► Normal (aorta less than 3cm in diameter) - Man discharged from screening
programme.
► Small aneurysm (3cm to 4.4cm) - Man invited back for screening in 12
months.
► Medium aneurysm (4.5cm to 5.4cm) - Man invited back for screening in 3
months.
► Large aneurysm (5.5cm+) - Man referred to vascular surgeon to discuss
treatment options, usually surgery.
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