“Very easy and quick” – that’s how Edwin Scott, the first patient in Clackmannanshire to undergo a new life-saving ultrasound scan for men, described the process.

Mr Scott who lives in Devon Village, is pictured with sonographer Rhian Smalridge at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre. Mr Scott was given the all clear for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and said he ‘felt good’ knowing there was nothing wrong. He said:

 We have just moved to the area and I received my letter which explained everything as it wasn’t something I was aware of.  Its good to get involved in something likethis rather than making an appointment and then finding out something is wrong. That’s it done now and prevention is always better than cure, as they say”.

Aneurysms form when the aorta – the main artery which supplies blood to the body from the heart – becomes weak and balloons out. As the wall of the aorta stretches it becomes weaker and could rupture.This leads to life-threatening internal bleeding and in 8 out of 10 cases could prove fatal. Small or medium aneurysms rarely cause trouble but it is important to monitor them in case they get bigger. About one in 20 men in Scotland have an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, most of whom are unaware.

Weekly AAA screening clinics for men aged 65 are now being held in community hospitals in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk and around 1400 men across the area are expected to attend over the next year. Men aged 65 in Forth Valley will receive an invitation to attend their local screening clinic and men aged over 65 can self-refer for a scan by contacting NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.

The ultrasound scan takes just 10 minutes and results are available instantly. Around 95% of men are expected to have a normal scan and will exit the screening programme. Further information about the new AAA national screening programme can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk/screening/aaa.