For men age 65 and older, regular screenings for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can cut the odds of dying in half, according to a review of four recent medical studies in England. An AAA is a weakened bulge in the aorta, and an AAA that bursts is often fatal. Screening can give advance warning of an AAA. Surgeons often repair them when they reach 5 centimeters in diameter. The review notes that surgery entails risks of its own, and patients and their doctors must weigh the risk of an aneurysm against the risk of repairing it. The impact of such screenings on the survival rate of women requires more study, the review noted.

Source: ScienceDaily

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