June is a month devoted to highlighting men’s health and routine tests men should consider at various stages of their lives. Addressing health changes early provides the best opportunity to tackle them when they are most easily and effectively treated. Get regular exams for:
Blood Pressure – ages 18 and up
Untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure, so have your blood pressure checked regularly and if it is high (130/80 or higher), see your doctor.
Testicular Cancer – ages 20 and up
Once a month, feel for lumps, bumps or changes in shape, and have your doctor perform a check during your regular physical. If you have a family history of testicular cancer or an undescended testicle, ask your doctor about health screening options.
Cholesterol – ages 35 and up, ages 20 and up if family history
High LDL cholesterol can lead to heart attack and stroke. Men should have a routine fasting lipid blood panel beginning at age 35 and thereafter as recommended. Men with a personal or strong family history of heart disease should begin LDL testing at age 20.
Prostate Cancer – ages 40 – 50 and up
Prostate cancer strikes 1 in 6 men, making routine screening important. Men with fathers diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider getting screened beginning at age 40. African-American men and men with a second-degree family history should consider getting tested beginning at age 45. Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian men of average risk should begin screening at age 50.
Men with elevated PSA may be eligible for a 3T MRI prostate scan, which can discover cancer early without ionizing radiation. If you have elevated PSA, talk to your clinician about whether 3T MRI might be right for you.
Colorectal cancer – ages 45 and up
Most colon cancers begin as polyps, so testing is crucial to discovering and removing polyps before they can turn malignant. Tests include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and CT scanning, which can discover polyps noninvasively, saving time and discomfort.
Lung cancer – ages 50 and up
Men who have reached 20 pack years (packs smoked per day x years spent smoking) should talk to their doctors about Low Dose Computed Tomography. LDCT can catch lung cancer before it spreads and becomes lethal. LDCT is recommended for current heavy smokers and those who have quit within the past 15 years.
Mental health issues – all ages
Men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues than women, and are twice as likely to develop a dependence on alcohol and drugs. Mental health problems affect 1 in 3 Americans, so you are not alone. If you suffer from depression, anxiety or antisocial feelings, talk to your clinician about ways to feel and function better.
By engaging in appropriate routine exams, your health and wellness can be protected throughout your lifetime.