Bassetlaw: Screening programme is a real life-saver

A pioneering Bassetlaw health programme has helped two men spot – and begin treatment for – the potentially fatal condition of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).
Guardian NewsGuardian News
Guardian News

Screening technicians from the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA programme went to the a retirement home near Sheffield and scanned 34 men.

Of those, 32 were clear, but two were found to large aneurysms, a symptomless swelling of the body’s main blood vessel, the aorta, that required immediate attention.

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After their aneurysms were discovered, the men were immediately referred to the care of specialist vascular surgeons.

Both men may require surgery to repair the swellings in their arteries to prevent a rupture of the aneurysm.

Helen McAlinney, AAA programme co-ordinator for South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw added: “We are really glad the home got in touch with us as, while 32 men now have the peace of mind of knowing that they are clear, the two gentlemen with large aneurysms are now in the right care and at far less risk of suffering a potentially fatal rupture.”

“Our goal as a screening programme is to scan every men in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw who is 65 and over, so if anyone thinks we should come to their organisation to carry out screening, we would ask them to get in touch on 01709 321189.”