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We call on government to introduce screening for older men for Abdominal Aortic Anneurysms (AAA) - the third most common cause of death for older men (19.11.07)

Age Concern’s Director General‚ Gordon Lishman‚ said:

“It is an absolute disgrace that the Government’s inaction on AAA screening is resulting in the deaths of thousands of older men every year. For years we have called for screening to be introduced‚ and for years the Government has seemed content to issue the same non-committal response.

“Yet its incessant failure to take the issue seriously and introduce a simple screening procedure‚ proven to save lives‚ is costing around 3‚000 lives every year and causing a huge amount of suffering. Now is the time for the Government to stop dragging its heels and introduce routine NHS screening for all men over 65.”

-Ends-

s/152.19.11.07/hs


Notes to editors

AAAs occur in around 7.5% of the male population over 65 and are rare under 55 years. The most common symptom is the rupture of an unsuspected AAA that carries at least 85% mortality.  Most people die before they reach hospital‚ some families are never aware of what the problem was.  Even those who have emergency surgery are likely to die.

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Helen Spinney
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