Learn which screenings you need in every decade of your life
Guys, it’s time to stop ditching the doc. When it comes to men’s health screenings, procrastination can literally be a matter of life and death.
Take a day off work, hit up Top Golf, then knock out your screenings. Even better: Schedule it in advance with a buddy, so you both tick those pesky boxes off your list. Learn what screenings you need when —print off our helpful checklist, then click here to find a physician and get your health screenings scheduled.
Lifelong Exams
- Hearing and vision exam: Hearing and vision change with age. The American Osteopathic Association recommends hearing and vision exam frequency based on age:
- Under 40: Every five to 10 years
- 40-54: Every two to four years
- 55-64: Every one to three years
- Over 65: Every one to two years
- Dental care: Keep your mouth clean and healthy with regular dental checkups every six months.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) check: Discuss with your physician how often you should be screened for STDs. All adults should be screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV after 18 years of age.
- Hypertension screening: Your doc should check your blood pressure every year.
- Oral health and cancer: You should get a mouth and throat exam every year.
- Self-Exams: Check for abnormalities every month and discuss any findings with your physician:
- Breast: for men with a known BRCA mutation, check for abnormal lumps
- Skin: check for signs of changing moles, freckles, or sunspots
In Your 20s and 30s
- Health maintenance exam: Establish good health habits by going in for an annual review of overall health status, including a physical exam, lab test recommendations as indicated, lifestyle habits, review immunization status, depression screening and domestic violence screening. In your 20s and 30s, annual wellness exams are important, as personal and family medical history can change frequently.
- Cholesterol screening: All adult men should have a lipid panel done every five years.
- Blood and urine tests: These tests screen for cholesterol and diabetes.
- Cholesterol screening: Lipid screening for cholesterol is recommended every five years.
- Diabetes screening: Start at age 35, and screen for diabetes every three years. Diabetes screening is recommended before age 35 if you are overweight, have relatives with diabetes or experience other symptoms.
- EKG: An EKG monitors your heart rhythm to check for any problems – it’s recommended you get your first EKG when you turn 30.
In Your 40s
- Diabetes screening: Starting at age 35, a fasting glucose test or hemoglobin A1C every three years can determine your diabetes risk and help you ward it off.
- Colonoscopy: When you turn 45, you’ll need to start having this important colorectal cancer screening exam every 10 years. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may be screened before age 45.
- Comprehensive eye exam: Get your eye exam done when you turn 40. After your initial exam, follow up every two to four years.
- Prostate health and cancer: This screening is performed with a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). Get your baseline screening at age 45, or earlier, for high-risk patients.
- Coronary artery calcium score: If you don’t have a history of heart or vascular disease, get screened after age 40.
Screenings to keep up with
- Health maintenance exam: Continue your healthy habits by getting this exam annually.
- Blood and urine tests: Screen for diabetes every three years and lipids every five year
In Your 50s, 60s and 70s
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: If you’ve ever smoked, your physician may recommend this screening once you hit 65 years old.
Osteoporosis screening: Loss of bone density doesn’t only affect women. Screening is recommended at age 70 for healthy men, and earlier for men with additional risk factors.
Lung cancer screening: Starting at age 50, if you’ve smoked a pack a day for 20 years or more, talk to your doctor about a low-dose CT lung screening.
Screenings to keep up with
- Health maintenance exam: You should start getting this screening every year.
- Blood and urine tests: Continue routine lipid (every five years) and diabetes (every three years) screenings. Consider a BMP for kidney function at age 55.
- Prostate health and cancer: Your physician will recommend annual or less frequent testing based on your past results and risks.
- Colonoscopy: You should be screened for colorectal cancer anywhere from every year to every ten years, depending on your physician’s recommendation.
Looking for a doc to help with these men’s health screenings? We can help!
