Liverpool entertainer urges men to get ‘lifesaving’ NHS aneurysm scan at 65

A 72-year-old man from Liverpool says a free NHS scan saved his life after he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Rob Shaw was 65 when he first received an NHS invitation for AAA screening, a 10-minute ultrasound scan offered to all men in England during the year they turn 65. He had no symptoms, but the scan revealed a small swelling in his aorta, the body’s main blood vessel. Seven years later, in May 2025, he underwent surgery to repair it.

“If you get the letter to go for the screening, get it done,” he said. “For me, it was lifesaving.”

AAA is a bulge in the aorta that can grow over time. If it bursts, it’s often fatal, around 82 per cent of ruptured AAAs are deadly. However, screening can detect the condition early before it becomes dangerous.

Rob’s condition was monitored annually by Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust until earlier this year when the aneurysm had grown large enough to need surgery. He was called in for the operation after a cancellation and was back home eight days later.

“They also fixed my umbilical hernia during the same operation, two birds, one stone!” he joked. “I was back gigging within weeks.”

Rob’s family history added to the risk. His father also had an AAA, meaning his son is now eligible for earlier screening at 50. Although less common in women, Rob says his consultant also advised that his sisters be screened too.

This Men’s Health Month, NHS England is calling on more men to attend their free AAA scan. While awareness is growing, officials say AAA remains one of the least known NHS screening programmes.

Tricia Spedding, Head of Public Health for NHS England in the North West, said: “Of all the screening programmes the NHS offers, AAA screening is the least well known, and yet the risk of an undetected and untreated AAA is one of the most deadly.”

The scan is painless, takes about 10 minutes, and is often held at GP surgeries, health centres, or even mobile units like those now operating in Cheshire and Merseyside. If no swelling is found, no further scans are needed.

Recent figures show the North West has one of the best performing AAA screening programmes in England, with almost 80 per cent uptake. Screening rates in deprived areas, where risk is higher, have improved by nearly 30 per cent in the last three years.

Campaigns to raise awareness have been stepped up, with NHS teams holding community events and football stadium pop-ups at Liverpool FC and Burnley FC. Roles like ‘improving uptake officers’ have been introduced to increase attendance.

Each year, around one in every 10,000 people suffers an AAA rupture, most of them men over 65, especially those who smoke, have high blood pressure, or a family history of the condition.

Anyone who missed their screening appointment can still contact their GP to rearrange it.