New screening programme for men at Bedford Hospital aims to reduce deaths

A team based at Bedford Hospital has introduced the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme and invited men are now being screened.

An estimated 80,000 men aged between 65 and 74 in England and Wales are affected by the condition, which is caused when the main blood vessel in the abdomen – the aorta – weakens and starts to expand.

If undetected, the condition can be fatal and around 6,000 people die every year from the condition.

The NHS AAA Screening Programme aims to reduce deaths from the condition among men aged 65 and over by up to 50 per cent, by detecting AAAs early and offering appropriate monitoring or treatment.

Men aged 65-plus are most at risk and invitations for screening are now being sent to men in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes during the year they turn 65.

Vascular surgeon Jonothan Earnshaw, national director of the NHS AAA screening programme, said: “Men who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm will not generally notice any symptoms, which is why screening is so important. The test is simple, non-invasive and usually takes less than 10 minutes. Early detection of AAA through screening enables us to offer monitoring or treatment, reducing the number of deaths caused by the condition.”

Nadim Noor, director of the programme in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes and Lead Vascular Surgeon at Bedford Hospital, said: “Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be treated effectively with acceptable risks if caught early. This is why it is really important that men should seriously consider the offer of screening.

“Bedford Vascular Centre is a designated treatment centre for the screen detected aneurysms within Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

“A team of six vascular surgeons offers the most modern treatments for vascular disease and provides round the clock cover for vascular emergencies.”

Olivia Stewart, manager of the programme in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, said: “I am delighted that local men aged 65 now have the opportunity to take part in this screening programme.

“The screening test is highly effective and men receive their result immediately.”

For more information, visit the national programme website at http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk