Plan to have routine examinations
Men are not always the best at keeping up with their health. If they feel “under the weather,” many men shrug it off and let time and overthe-counter medications do the healing.
However, men need to map out a plan that includes routine examinations and tests.
Most men had routine exams when they were young and attending school. Their pediatrician checked their height, weight, temperature, reflexes and more. However, pediatricians stop seeing patients when they get between 18 and 21 years old. That is when it is time for men to find a primary care provider. Here are some important screenings that men should undergo as they age.
Blood Pressure
A man needs to have his blood pressure checked every two years. The test measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. The test can indicate hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure. If hypertension goes untreated, it could lead to a stroke, heart attack and other health problems. Depending on your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend screening for diabetes.
Cholesterol
A cholesterol test checks the level of your body’s cholesterol. It determines your risk of a heart attack or other heartrelated diseases. The American Heart Association recommends that screenings begin at 20 years old if you have certain risk factors like diabetes. Men over the age of 35 should be tested every five years until the age of 45, when they should undergo a cholesterol test every two years.
Testicular Cancer Self-Exam
Testicular cancer is not common. However, about one out of every 250 men will develop it during their lifetime. Medical experts recommend that men between the ages of 15 and 55 perform a monthly self-examination to look for any changes to their testicles. Report any abnormality, such as a mass or bump, to your doctor quickly since it could be an early indication of cancer.
Skin Cancer Screening
Self-exams of moles and other skin conditions should become a part of any man’s routine. If a man finds a scaly, red patch that becomes crusty and bleeds, a wart-like growth, or a new mole or other skin spots changing in size, shape or color, he needs to make an appointment with a dermatologist. A mole with an odd shape, irregular borders or areas of different colors can also be a sign of skin cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
If you are under age 45 and your family has a history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether you should undergo a colonoscopy. Beginning at age 45, you should start getting a routine colonoscopy. Your doctor will determine how often you should have a colonoscopy based on their findings.
Prostate Cancer
The American Cancer Society recommends that men undergo a prostate cancer screening beginning at age 50. Men under 50 years old should have their exams earlier if they are at a higher risk. The exam includes a blood test. A digital rectal exam could also be part of the screening, but it is optional.
Other Health Checks
Men should consider other health screenings, including a blood test to check thyroid hormone levels. A thyroid issue can affect a man’s hair loss, sex drive, erectile dysfunction and lower testosterone levels. Depression screening is also important as men age. Men can become more depressed as they deal with more health concerns.
It is important to be honest and upfront with your health-care providers. If they know your family history, they can easily identify the screenings you should undergo.
Meanwhile, you should consider quitting tobacco use (including vaping), using sunscreen, watching your calorie intake and getting more exercise to improve your health. Those positive steps can go a long way in keeping you healthy.
Dr. John Jacob is at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Spring Lake Clinic.
