A SIMPLE scan aimed at detecting a condition which affects one in 20 men is now being rolled out by NHS Tayside and NHS Fife.
Men aged 65 will be invited to attend a local clinic to receive an ultrasound scan, which can detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) a condition that affects the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart, down through the chest and abdomen.
As people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out, forming an aneurysm.
AAA is most common in men aged 65 and above and it is estimated that one in 20 men aged 65 in Scotland has AAA.
Most are unaware that they have the condition and have no symptoms. For many men, the rupture of the aneurysm is the very first sign of the problem.
Ruptures can result in death around eight in 10 ruptures will prove fatal.
Exactly what causes AAA is unclear. However, high cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure can add to the risk of developing an aneurysm.
The national screening programme will invite all 65-year-old men for an ultrasound scan of the abdomen, with results of the scan being given to the patient there and then.
Men over 65 can also self-refer. The AAA ultrasound is quick and simple, and similar to that used routinely to monitor pregnant women.
The patient can be offered an operation to treat a large aneurysm before it has a chance to rupture. Where a smaller aneurysm is detected, follow-on scans will be offered and advice given on lifestyle changes to improve the health of the patient’s blood vessels.
NHS Tayside consultant in public health medicine Dr Julie Cavanagh said: “I would hope that every man who receives an invitation for AAA screening will use the information provided to come to a decision about taking up this screening invitation.
“Screening for AAA is important as you are unlikely to have any symptoms, feel any pain, or notice anything different, and so may not be aware that there is a potential problem.
“Screening ensures that we find aneurysms early and monitor or treat them. This greatly reduces the chance of the aneurysm rupturing and causing serious problems.”
The first screening clinic in Tayside will be held in Kings Cross Health and Community Care Centre in Dundee on January 28 and will be rolled out to other areas during the course of the year.
The abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme began in NHS Highland in July 2012 and will be rolled out nationally by December 2013.
Once established, the programme will save an estimated 170 lives across Scotland each year.