Routine check could prove lifesaving for Derry man

A Derry man has spoken of his relief after a simple scan detected a potentially life-threatening condition.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 and over to consider taking up the offer of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Matthew Cadden, known to friends as Don, knows all too well how vital this health check is.

He had no worries about his health when he received the letter from the Northern Ireland AAA screening programme inviting him to go along for a scan.

Don explained: “In March 2014 I received the letter to attend for AAA screening at the local health centre.

“I was in no way concerned about attending and thought ‘why not?’ – any health check has to be a positive step to looking after my health.”

Don was shown into the scanning room where the procedure was explained to him.

The test was simple and pain-free. Some gel was applied to his skin and an ultrasound scanner was moved across his abdomen.

The scan detected that Don had a medium-sized aortic aneurysm.

The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to your body, and runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen (belly).

As some people get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak and balloon out to form an aneurysm, rather like a bulge in a worn tyre. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm and can be fatal if it ruptures.

As most AAAs grow very slowly, men with a small or medium AAA may never develop a large AAA but will be monitored to see if it grows.

Don continued: “The scan only took 15 minutes, and afterwards I was told by the technician that I had a medium-sized aortic aneurysm.

“She gave me an information leaflet and said at this stage I only needed to be monitored. Since then I have been screened every three months to keep an eye on any changes and have had appointments with the vascular nurse specialists.

“The screening programme is very organised and I have felt fully informed, reassured and supported throughout.

“In my opinion the 15 minute simple scan has been well worthwhile and I would strongly advise all men who are invited to take up the offer of screening.

“Men over the age of 65 can refer themselves for screening and I would definitely recommend that they do.”

Each year around 80 to 100 people in Northern Ireland die from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Most people with the condition will not know that they have an aneurysm as they rarely have symptoms, but it is often life-threatening if it ruptures.

Research shows that men are six times more likely to have this type of aneurysm than women and the chance of having one increases with age.

The good news is that if an aneurysm is detected early it can be monitored and, if necessary, treated.

Screening men aged 65 using an ultrasound scan reduces the death rate from ruptured AAAs by around 50%.

Photo shows Matthew pictured with his wife Maud.