“Get the letter and go!” – men urged to attend for potentially life-saving screening test

Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement
Photograph of Tom Martin, Service User Rep at the AAA screening event.

A man who discovered he had a potentially life-threatening condition after he went for screening has urged other men who are eligible to get the check when they are invited.

Tom Martin from Helen’s Bay found out he had a small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) after attending for screening shortly after turning 65. Initially he was unsure about going until his wife convinced him it was extremely important. 

Tom said: “Get the letter and go! I would actively encourage men over 65, once they get the letter inviting them for screening to go. You’ve nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

“One of the things I’ve done since I found out I had a small AAA after attending screening was control my weight. I’ve been eating healthily and thankfully I already gave up smoking years ago. But it just highlights the need to look after yourself.”

An AAA is a potentially fatal condition which can particularly affect older men, but can be detected with a simple ultrasound screening test. In Northern Ireland the AAA screening programme offers this test to men in the year they turn 65. Most people with an AAA don’t have any symptoms, which is why attending for screening is so important.

Tom’s call came as he joined over 30 other men who have an AAA detected through screening at an event to mark the success of the programme in detecting and successfully managing this condition, and to share experiences. 

The Public Health Agency (PHA), in collaboration with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, held the AAA Screening Programme’s thirteenth annual service user event in Belfast to encourage service users to share their experiences of the screening programme and for the programme to consider future developments. This event brought together a wide range of healthcare professionals and men who have, or have had, an AAA detected through screening. 

Dr Stephen Bergin, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Most people with an AAA will be unaware that they have an aneurysm as they rarely have symptoms. 

“The AAA screening check is a quick, simple, painless ultrasound scan provided free of charge. Men who have an AAA detected will, depending on the size of the aneurysm, either be monitored with surveillance scans or referred to the specialist vascular team to consider treatment options. 

“Each of the men at this event who had their aneurysm detected through the screening programme highlights just how important it is to consider attending for screening when invited.

“The event also provided an opportunity for those involved in the delivery of AAA screening services to listen and consider feedback from the programmes service users, which is important in identifying priorities that will help shape the future of the programme in Northern Ireland.”

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, as you may miss the chance to take part in the programme if these are inaccurate.

Men over 65 who have not been screened before can phone the screening office and request an appointment on (028) 9615 1212. The programme, which was first introduced in July 2012, provides screening at 26 different locations across Northern Ireland. 

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 AAA

However, everyone who is invited for screening should consider attending, even if none of these risk factors applies to them.

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