Potentially life threatening aneurysm detected at Doncaster tea dance

Twelve men at a Doncaster tea dance took time out of their quick step routine to be screened for potentially life threatening abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
Victor Fairhead.Victor Fairhead.
Victor Fairhead.

Parklands Sport and Social Club in Doncaster played host to an AAA screening clinic for all males, aged 65 and above and invited their regular dancers to be screened.

Victor Fairhead, 71, of Doncaster, was one of the men who took up the opportunity to be screened on the day, having not made an appointment before the clinic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Victor said: “I did not know about AAA screening and what an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm was until there was a talk about the condition and we were offered screening appointments for a clinic which was all organised through the club. A number of my friends were going to appointments and I decided to get screened too as it wouldn’t do any harm.”

A small aneurysm was detected at Victor’s appointment, which will require a scan every 12 months to check if it is getting any bigger.

“I had absolutely no symptoms of anything at all so I am glad I took up the opportunity, and I’m grateful to the club for organising the clinic, otherwise I wouldn’t be aware that I had a small aneurysm. I really hope other men aged 65 and over will do what I did and take the opportunity to get screened when they are offered it.”

The 11 other men were given the all clear and signed off the programme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Neil Balderstone, Manager at the Sport and Social Club said: “The health of our club members is really important to us and that’s why when we were approached by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA screening team, we wanted to take part.

“We have a group of men who regularly attend the weekly tea dance on a Wednesday and it was great to have the AAA clinic on site to make the whole process more convenient so they can take part and be screened but still enjoy their weekly routine.”

If you are part of a group with men over the age of 65, please call us to arrange for the screening team to deliver a clinic – its quick, free and could potentially save lives.

An AAA occurs when the aorta, which is the main blood vessel in the body, becomes weak and expands which can lead to a rupture and potentially death due to internal bleeding.

Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can make an appointment by contacting the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw AAA Screening Programme on 01709 649100 or by emailing [email protected]