That’s where routine screening plays a critical role, says Michael Richardson, MD, a family physician who specializes in men’s health at Mass General Brigham in Boston. “Early detection is what we aim for across all disease processes, because if we can catch something early, we can prevent complications from happening down the road,” Dr. Richardson says.
Men’s preventive screening guidelines shouldn’t be viewed as a one-size-fits-all rule, though. These recommendations can change with different ages and life stages, and vary based on lifestyle and family history factors. Here’s what men should know.
1. Blood Pressure Screening
In addition to leading to potential heart, kidney, and vision issues, a lesser-known complication of high blood pressure is its impact on your sex life, says Timothy Schuster, MD, a urologist at ProMedica in Toledo, Ohio. “Many men are surprised to learn that high blood pressure can manifest as erectile dysfunction, which happens when there’s not enough blood flow to the penis to produce an erection,” he says.
2. Cholesterol Panel
For men 20 and older, healthy cholesterol levels are:
- Total cholesterol level of less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol level of less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL (or “good”) cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL or higher
- Triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL
There typically aren’t noticeable symptoms, but having too much “bad” cholesterol or not enough “good” cholesterol — which men of all ages are more likely to experience than women — can increase the risk for heart disease.
3. Blood Sugar Test
“From a urology standpoint, if a younger patient comes in with erection issues, we usually suggest they get screened for diabetes — along with other screenings like high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.,” he says, noting that men with diabetes are three times more likely to have ED.
Screening for diabetes typically involves a fasting plasma glucose test to measure your blood sugar. When preparing for a fasting blood test, you usually can’t eat or drink anything other than water for up to 12 hours before the test, though your doctor will tell you the exact instructions for your test.
When to get it: Guidelines from major organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, recommend that all men start screening at age 35. Follow-up screenings should occur every three years. If you have certain risk factors, such as obesity, you may need earlier or more frequent screenings. The blood test to check for high blood sugar (glucose) is a quick process that can be done at your doctor’s office.
4. Prostate Cancer Screening
Because of this, recommendations for how often and in whom to screen for this disease have changed in recent years, Schuster says. “The reasoning is twofold: one, there’s a lot of false positives, as you can have elevated PSA levels for many reasons other than cancer; and two, prostate cancer isn’t always deadly,” he explains.
When to get it: Experts recommend a shared decision-making approach to prostate cancer screening, in which you and your doctor discuss the pros and cons of screening and your risk factors, rather than treating screening as automatic. According to the American Urological Association and Society of Urologic Oncology, men at an average risk should begin these conversations at age 45. Men at a higher risk, such as Black men and those with a strong family history, may begin these conversations at 40.
5. Colorectal Cancer Test
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men in the United States.
“Colorectal cancer screenings are incredibly important because this is one of the cancers we can catch early, prevent, and treat before it causes any issues,” says Richardson. “That’s why it’s important to have discussions with your doctor early on so you know the right screening schedule for you.”
When to get it: Most men age 45 to 75 should get regular colorectal cancer screenings, which are repeated every one to 10 years, depending on the type of test. You may need to be tested earlier or more often if you have a higher risk for the disease because of your personal or family history, a genetic condition, or an inflammatory bowel disease. Men older than 75 should talk to their healthcare provider about whether or not to get screened.
6. Lung Cancer Screening
“Lung cancer screening is not recommended for the average person and is really reserved for higher-risk individuals — such as smokers, particularly those with more than a 20 pack-year history, as well as anyone with certain exposures, like firefighters exposed to smoke inhalation or specific factory workers,” explains Richardson.
When to get it: Men between ages 50 and 80 who are also current or former heavy smokers should undergo yearly lung-cancer screening.
7. Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer screening involves a visual exam of your skin as your doctor looks over your moles, freckles, and other spots, checking for any unusual or concerning irregularities.
8. Tests for Infectious Diseases
These can include tests for specific STIs (like chlamydia and gonorrhea) and HIV screenings.
When to get it: It’s recommended that all adults up to age 79 get a one-time test for hepatitis C and that everyone ages 13 to 64 get a one-time HIV test. Repeat the HIV screening annually if you are sexually active or have other risk factors, like using injectable drugs.
Men who have unprotected sex and more than one sexual partner should also get tested regularly for other STIs as their doctor suggests. Experts also recommend this testing at least once a year for men who have sex with men, who may be at a higher risk of STIs.
“Exactly how often you should be tested really depends on the individual, and that’s a great discussion to have with your family doctor,” Richardson adds.
9. Mental and Cognitive Assessments
A mental health screening, which consists of a series of questions to help your clinician check for signs of a disorder, is the first step.
When to get it: Richardson recommends talking to your doctor at least once a year about scheduling a screening for depression and anxiety, but don’t wait for your annual exam if you think you might need help sooner. “If you ever feel like your mood is off, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor to discuss what options are available to you, whether it’s medication, therapy, or simply talking to someone,” says Richardson.
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