Health Screenings for Men

Health screenings for men are medical tests that doctors use to check for diseases and health conditions before there are any signs or symptoms. Men in all age groups should visit their health care provider yearly or more often, even if they are healthy. These visits will:

• Screen for medical issues
• Determine your risk for future medical problems
• Update your vaccinations
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle, like eating right and exercising
• Help you get to know your doctor in case you get sick

The risks and advantages of screenings change as you age. Your doctor can help you decide which tests are best for you, based on your health care goals, personal and family health history, age and life expectancy.

Ask your doctor which screenings you may need this year.

Even if you feel healthy, it’s important see your doctor or health care provider regularly. These visits can help you avoid health problems down the road. For example, the only way you can find out if you have high blood pressure is to check it regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol also might not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for them.

Get screened to help find problems early, when they may be easier to treat.

The health screenings you need change as you age. Here’s a breakdown of recommended screenings by decade.

Here are the health screenings for men aged 18-39.

• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Infectious disease screening
• Immunizations
• Physical exam
• Testicular exam

If you’re 40-64, here are the health screenings recommended for you:

• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention
• Colorectal cancer screening; for men under 50, talk with your doctor about getting screened
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Immunizations
• Lung cancer screening
• Osteoporosis screening
• Physical exam
• Prostate cancer screening
• Testicular exam

These are the screening guidelines for men ages 65 and older.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for men between 65-75 who are smokers or have smoked
• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention
• Colorectal cancer screening; men over 76 should talk with their doctor about whether they need to continue screenings
• Dental exam
• Diabetes screening
• Eye exam
• Hearing test
• Immunizations
• Lung cancer screening
• Osteoporosis screening
• Physical exam
• Prostate cancer screening