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HCA image for health under 50 If you begin seeing a doctor regularly, getting screening tests, and taking preventive measures, your quality of life may be greatly improved. You may also reduce your risk of premature death and disability.

Advice from US Preventive Services Task Force

Screening tests help doctors detect diseases early, when they are easier to treat. The following recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are general guidelines for screening procedures for healthy men. Since some men may need screening at more frequent intervals, consult your doctor for personalized advice.

Screening Procedures for Men

Test

Why It Is Important

USPSTF Recommendations
Aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) A smoking history greatly increases risk. An undetected aneurysm that ruptures has a high mortality rate. Men between ages 65 and 75 who have ever smoked should have an ultrasound screening for the presence of AAA.

Blood pressure

 High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and other problems. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. Adults aged 18 and over should have their blood pressure checked.

Cholesterol

 High cholesterol causes most of the same problems as high blood pressure. Beginning at age 35, men should have their cholesterol checked. If you are at an increased risk for coronary heart disease, you should have it checked beginning at age 20.

Colorectal cancer

 Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Early detection can drastically reduce the likelihood you will die from the disease. Men age 50 and over should be screened for colorectal cancer. When to be screened depends on which test your doctor recommends:
  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) —used to check for hidden blood in the stool (should be done annually).
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy —an examination of the rectum and lower colon using a sigmoidoscope (every 5 years).
  • Colonoscopy —an examination of the rectum and entire colon using a colonoscope (every 10 years).

Diabetes

 Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. If detected early enough, you can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and the complications. If your blood pressure is over 135/80 mmHg, you should be screened for type 2 diabetes.

Depression

 Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lost of interest in activities that you once enjoyed. Treatment can alleviate the symptoms in many cases. USPSTF recommends routine screening for adults. If you have any symptoms related to depression, talk to you doctor. There is help available.
Obesity Being overweight or obese can greatly increase your risk of a variety of other health problems. All adults should be screened for obesity.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

 There are many different kinds of STDs, and some of symptoms may go unrecognized. If you have had unprotected sex or engaged in other risky behavior talk to your doctor about being tested for STDs, including

In addition to screenings, it is recommended that men regularly have a check-up to review overall health status. Also, men should stay up-to-date with their immunizations. Examples of vaccines that you may need include:

Going to the doctor provides men the opportunity to get checked out for health problems they may or may not realize they have (or are at risk for). The earlier men start seeing a doctor on a regular basis, the earlier they can establish a relationship with someone they trust and feel comfortable talking to. And, by learning what is normal early on, it will be easier to detect any serious changes later.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Copyright © EBSCO Publishing
All rights reserved.

RESOURCES

  • New York Online Access to Health

    http://www.noah-health.org/

  • Men’s Health Network

    http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

  • Canadian Family Physician

    http://www.cfpc.ca/

  • Health Canada

    http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

References

  • Colorectal cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 24, 2012. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • How did the USPSTF arrive at this recommendation? US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening/prostatecancerfaq.htm. Published May 2012. Accessed July 27, 2012.

  • Men: stay healthy at any age. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm . Updated September 2010. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • Prostate cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 30, 2012. Accessed July 27, 2012.

  • Screening for prostate cancer: current recommendation. US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening.htm. Published May 2012. Accessed July 27, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/aaascr/aaars.htm. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for depression in adults. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaddepr.htm. Updated December 2009. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for high blood pressure. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspshype.htm. Updated December 2007. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for lipid disorders in adults. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspschol.htm. Updated June 2008. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for syphilis. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspssyph.htm. Updated July 2004. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdiab.htm. Updated June 2008. Accessed June 14, 2012.