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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme

Man being scanned for an abdominal aortic aneurysm

The Kent and Medway National Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme invites all men registered with a GP for a screening in the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not previously been screened or treated for an AAA can request screening.

The process will:

  1. Identify aneurysms that need monitoring
  2. Discover aneurysms that could rupture, enabling treatment to be offered
  3. Reassure men who don't have an aneurysm.

An ultrasound scan of the abdomen is used to detect AAAs. The scan is carried out by a screener who is specially trained to work within the NHS AAA Screening Programme. The scan itself is quick, painless and non-invasive and the results are provided straight away.

The result

There are three possible results from the scan: 

1. No Aneurysm found

No aneurysm has been found. If your aorta is less than 3cm wide, the aorta is not enlarged. We will not invite you for screening again

2. Small or medium aneurysm found

If we find your aorta is between 3cm and 5.4 cm wide, you have an aneurysm.  We will invite you back for regular scans to check if the aorta is getting bigger.

3. Large aneurysm found

If your aorta is 5.5 cm wide or bigger, you have a large aneurysm. Only about 1 in 1000 men who are screened have a large aneurysm. We give men with a large aneurysm an appointment with a specialist team to have more scans and to talk about possible treatment, usually an operation.

Screening 

Men aged 65 and over are most at risk from abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).  Invitations for screening are sent to men in the year they turn 65. 

Those over 65 who have never been invited for AAA screening can ask for a scan by contacting us at ekhuft.aaascreening@nhs.net or by calling 01227 868775. 

The test is a simple scan of the abdomen lasting approximately 10 minutes and, in most cases, results are given immediately.  There are generally no symptoms associated with AAAs, which is why screening is important. 

More information here

All our locations are either in a GP surgery or Hospital and if not on the ground floor, a lift is available.

Results are given verbally and in writing to all men immediately after the scan. A letter giving the results is also sent to the man’s GP.

We offer clinics at various locations throughout Kent and Medway.

The Kent and Medway screening programme was started in 2011 and we invite 10,000 men a year. In addition to those invited, men over the age of 65 can self refer into the programme.

Kent and Medway Screening Programme

Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethlebert Road
Canterbury
Kent CT1 3NG

01227 868775

ekhuft.aaascreening@nhs.net