Routine NHS scan was a lifesaver for grandfather
Accepting an invitation for a routine NHS scan proved to be a life-saving decision for Anthony Kennedy.
The 65-year-old grandfather had no idea he had a huge swelling in the main blood vessel in his body when he received the letter from the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme inviting him to a screening clinic in Launceston shortly before Christmas.
But just a week after having a scan on 13 December he was undergoing major surgery at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, to repair an aortic aneurysm. Now, he is urging other men aged 65 and over to seriously consider taking up the offer of the free NHS screening test.
“Luckily the appointment happened to be on a rare day when I was free,” said the Launceston businessman. “If it had been on almost any other day either side of Christmas I probably wouldn’t have gone because it is a very busy time of year for me. I am so glad I went because I had a very large aneurysm that was probably pretty close to rupturing. I believe screening saved my life and I’ll hopefully now see a few more Christmases yet.”
AAAs are most common in men aged 65 and over. They are caused when the aorta, the main artery in the abdomen, becomes weak and starts to expand. Around 6,000 people, mostly men aged 65 and over, die in England and Wales every year after large aneurysms rupture (burst). The NHS AAA Screening Programme aims to reduce deaths from ruptured aneurysms by up to 50% through early detection, effective monitoring and treatment.
The screening test itself is a quick and simple ultrasound scan of the tummy, similar to that offered to women during pregnancy. Most men have a normal result and do not need to be seen again. However, Mr Kennedy’s aorta measured more than 8cm across – more than four times bigger than the average and well over the 5.5cm size at which the risk of an aneurysm rupturing is significantly greater than any risk from having it repaired.
“I had no symptoms at all and didn’t even feel ill so it was obviously a bit of a shock when they told me I had an 8cm aneurysm which carried a very high risk of rupturing in the near future,” he said.
Later the same day, Mr Kennedy was admitted to Derriford Hospital where he was told his aneurysm was suitable for two types of repair – traditional open surgery and the less invasive endovascular ‘keyhole’ technique. “My surgeon, Mr Francis Dix, outlined the pros and cons of both but didn’t try to persuade me either way,” added Mr Kennedy. “I opted for endovascular repair because it is less invasive and the recovery is quicker.”
Mr Kennedy underwent surgery on 20 December and was discharged on Christmas Eve. He is now encouraging other men to seriously consider taking up the offer of screening.
“I think men have got to realise the potential seriousness of the condition and should definitely consider having the scan,” he said. “Several of my friends arranged to be screened as soon as they heard what happened to me. I’ve had a good recovery, am back working now and feeling pretty much 100 per cent.”
The local Peninsula AAA Screening Programme, run by Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, covers Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and parts of south-west Devon. Men are invited for screening during the year they turn 65 while men over 65 who have not previously been screened can request an appointment by calling 0800 9708700 or emailing rch-tr.AAAScreening@nhs.net.
Jamie Barwell, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Derriford Hospital and Co-director of the Peninsula AAA Screening Programme said: “Men who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm do not generally notice any symptoms, which is why screening is so important.
“The test is simple, highly effective, 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.”
For more information, visit the national programme website at: http://aaa.screening.nhs.uk
