A new genetic test could be introduced into NHS screening pathways to target those most at risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
The new test, developed by scientists at the University of Leicester, aims to make sure that those at highest risk are checked in time to get treatment and save lives.
An AAA is a swelling in the main blood vessel in the body - the aorta - which when not treated can rupture with deadly consequences. Affecting mainly men, the chances of developing an AAA increase with age. As there are very few warning signs for an AAA, the NHS introduced a screening programme in 2013 across the UK inviting all men over the age of 65 for an ultrasound scan.
AAA is treatable if spotted early, lowering the chances of rupture. Genetic tests can now show how likely a person is to develop an aneurysm, especially considering other risk factors such as smoking.
Although screening uptake is generally good, those most likely to develop an AAA are least likely to attend an appointment. Because of this, a targeted and more personal approach to screening could identify those patients most at risk and encourage them to attend their screening appointment while helping the NHS to be more cost effective.
Researchers at the University are now investigating how to include these genetic tests into the screening pathway for AAA, and want to work with those who could be affected to plan how best to do this. This is being led by Professor of Vascular Surgery, Matthew Bown (pictured).
“This improvement to the screening programme could ultimately save more lives, and make sure those most at risk are being treated,” he said. “Using genetic tests to identify those people at highest risk is one way of doing this but we don’t know what people think about these sorts of developments. We want to plan these changes to the NHS with the people who will be affected by them and this research is the first step on that journey.”
One part of this research is a new project funded by the Wellcome Trust from the University of Leicester to investigate how the public feel about introducing genetic tests to improve screening, and how the results and risks should be communicated to patients.
University researchers are currently recruiting men aged 60 – 70 years for online or in person interviews to talk about how they would feel about genetic testing being used to target AAA screening.