First-time scan saves Victor’s life

AN Oldham grand-dad’s life was saved when he became the first person to undergo a new health screening programme.

Victor Hallam, from Watersheddings, had felt healthy but a potentially fatal aneurysm was discovered when he underwent a scan in a pilot scheme.

The 65-year-old says he would have died if he hadn’t been offered the check at his local GP practice, Moorside Medical Centre.

Health chiefs say it shows the importance of such tests — from which other Oldhamers can now benefit as the scheme is rolled out.

Mr Hallam was the first person seen by the Greater Manchester Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme.

If the aorta, the main blood vessel in the body, weakens and expands then it may burst causing severe bleeding that can lead to death.

The NHS programme aims to reduce deaths from ruptures by half by detecting the condition early.

Elated
Mr Hallam said: “I can’t thank the screening programme enough, it’s fantastic and it saved my life. If I hadn’t gone for the scan I’d be dead now.

“I was frightened at first when I found out I had an aneurysm, but I knew I had to have an operation.

“I would like to thank the vascular consultant, Mr Taohid Oshodi, his medical team and all the staff on Ward T7 at the Royal Oldham Hospital.”

The former pub landlord ran the Abbey Inn in Oldham town centre for six years before retiring to look after his wife, who died from cancer a year ago.

He added: “I feel elated now because I’ve come through it. I made a promise to my wife that I’d go on a round-the-world cruise that we were planning to go on together, so I’ll be doing that now.”

The screening programme involved an ultrasound scan of his stomach, which took 10 minutes and uncovered the aneurysm.

Debbie Ruff, a vascular nurse specialist at the Royal Oldham Hospital who looked after Mr Hallam, said: “This is why the screening programme is so important. In the UK AAA claims the lives of thousands of men per year and is six times more common in men than women.”

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “Victor’s experience has clearly demonstrated that early detection of aneurysms means treatment or monitoring can be offered and deaths reduced.”

Mr Hallam gave up smoking four years ago after getting through 80 cigarettes a day while a landlord. Smoking is one of the risk factors for the condition.

Men aged 65 and over are most at risk with other factors include a history of AAA in a close relative, high blood pressure, low levels of physical activity, high cholesterol and being overweight.

All men registered with a GP in Greater Manchester are now offered screening in the year of their 65th birthday and men over 65 can be screened on request. The programme can be contacted on 0161-743 3699, or by email at cbs.gmaaasp@nhs.net