Aneurysm Screening

Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the pilot studies for aneurysm screening to begin; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Mullin
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for men aged 65 years; and if she will make a statement.

Ms Rosie Winterton
[holding answers 29 January 2007]: The United Kingdom national screening committee (NSC) has advised that screening for men aged 65 for abdominal aortic aneurysms can be recommended in principle subject to further detailed work, particularly on the appropriate configuration of treatment services and the provision of information and support to enable men to make an informed choice about whether to undergo screening. The NSC is undertaking further work on abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and will consider this topic again at its next meeting in March 2007. At present there are no plans for any abdominal aortic aneurysm screening pilots.