A Bradford man, among the first in the district to undergo a new type of potentially life-saving screening, is encouraging other men to get checked out.

Roy Cook, of Thornton, went along to Westwood Park Community Hospital in Swift Drive, off Cooper Lane, to take advantage of the new national screening programme for an abdominal aortic aneurysm – known as AAA screening.

The 65-year-old said: “It was a really simple and quick test and I was in and out within about half an hour and got my results straight away. I would urge other people to have the test for their own peace of mind and for their health.”

The aorta is the main blood vessel running from the heart, down through the chest and abdomen. Over time the walls can become weak and expand to form a localised ballooning of the artery, which is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. They are rare, but if undetected can expand and even burst, resulting in fatalities.

The screening process is an ultrasound scan test which is offered free of charge. The scans last around ten minutes, with the results available during the appointment.

The majority will be normal. Small aneurysms will require monitoring and large aneurysms will be referred to a specialist. Only one in 100 men have large aneurysms, with the vast majority of cases successfully treated.

All men in their 65th year in the Calderdale, Kirklees, Bradford, Airedale and Craven areas will automatically be sent an invitation from the national screening programme.

Screening programme manager Kathryn Aldous, from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a simple, non-invasive, painless ultrasound test which could potentially detect a serious life-threatening condition. We would urge all men to take up the invitation.”

If you are over 65 and have never been invited for AAA screening you can ask for a scan by contacting your local screening programme. Call (01422) 224204.