Monaco’s Department of Health and Social Affairs is launching a free campaign for the detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm in people aged 65 to 80.
This move reinforces the government’s policy of pursuing excellence in the field of public health, including prevention against breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is fatal in more than 80 percent of cases if it is not detected early. This frequent and potentially very serious condition affects one percent of women and five percent of men over 65, especially smokers, former smokers, hypertensive patients and people with a family history of this condition.
The aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is an abnormal dilation of this major blood vessel. This condition, which is not indicated by any particular symptom or pain, is easily detected by a simple abdominal ultrasound. If the diameter of the aorta is greater than 55 millimetres in men and 40 millimetres in women, surgical treatment is recommended, which is effective in more than 90 percent of cases.
The screening campaign is co-piloted by Dr Daniel Rouison, head of the Monegasque Centre for Screening, and Drs Jean-Michel Cucchi, Mathieu Liberatore and Anna Björkman of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre.
All men and women between the ages of 65 and 80, residents and those affiliated with Monegasque social organisations, will be able to benefit from an ultrasound screening free of charge. Each person will receive a letter proposing an examination. This must be carried at the Princess Grace Hospital by appointment.
Monaco enjoys the highest life expectancy in the world, at an average of 89.5 years.