Getting routine screening tests is an essential prevention step towards health. The majority of the test listed below are available at your doctor’s office.

Why screening?

It helps catch diseases early before any symptoms occur when it’s much easier to treat them. Defeating cancer is significantly more manageable if it’s diagnosed at an early stage. Early diagnosis is beneficial for many other diseases, such as type II diabetes and hypertension, because it prevents further complications if the condition is not treated correctly.

By taking an active role in your overall health, you can prevent and treat diseases before becoming severe and harmful. Following medical advice and going for regular screening is usually completely safe and accessible. Here you can find a list of tests based on the conditions that males commonly deal with. It would help if you did the screening tests according to your age, overall health, and risk factors.

 

1. Hypertension – high blood pressure

The risk for hypertension is affected by age, weight, and individual lifestyle. Even if you don’t experience any symptoms, it could cause complications. It is a well-known cause of arterial disease that can lead to severe heart attack, stroke, kidney, or heart failure. High BP can cause arterial aneurism, which can be treated if diagnosed on time. Checking your blood pressure is easy and accessible.

When you check your blood pressure, there are two numbers to look at. The first is systolic, and it measures the arterial pressure when the heartbeats. The second one is diastolic, and it is pressure in between beats. If your measurements are 120/80, you have normal blood pressure. If it measures above 130/80, however, you should check in with a doctor. Other risk factors you may have alongside how high your blood pressure determines how often you should check it.

2. Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, impacts artery walls to fill up with plaque, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Plaque buildup can go on for years without any symptoms. After a while, the plaque hardens and makes the arteries narrow, which can cause a stroke or heart attack. This condition is called atherosclerosis. Men should get regular screenings for cholesterol levels starting at the age of 35. You may also include some lifestyle changes and take medications that lower cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.

3. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the biggest enemies to men’s health. Right after skin cancer, when it comes to frequency, it is slow-growing and usually doesn’t show any symptoms at an early stage. It can, however, be fast-growing and aggressive. Getting a regular screening for prostate cancer helps you diagnose the disease early, which helps increases the chances of beating it significantly. So, even if they don’t show any symptoms, men should start getting checkups regularly based on the risk factors. It is recommended that men with average risk start screening at the age of 50, men at high risk at 45, and men with a family history of this type of cancer at 40.

4. Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer amongst adults, with the most dangerous type being melanoma. It affects cells crucial for the production of skin color – melanocytes. Older men are at a higher risk since there is twice as much chance that an older male will develop melanoma compared to females of the same age. There is a higher risk for men for non-melanoma skin cancer. The risk of skin cancer is affected by exposure to the sun, sunburns, and tanning beds.

Dermatologists recommend getting self-exams regularly. You should check and see any changes in marks on your skin regarding size, shape, and color. Consulting a dermatologist should be a part of every regular physical exam. Diagnosing skin cancer at an early stage significantly increases the chances that the treatment will be effective.

5. Testicular Cancer

This is an uncommon type of cancer, but it is advised that men get a testicular exam every time they go for a routine physical. It usually affects men between ages 20 and 55. Men with a family history are at an increased risk for this type of cancer and should consult a clinician about additional screening tests.

Doctors also recommend doing self-exams regularly. Gently examine your testicles for any lumps, smooth bumps, or any changes in shape and size.

6. Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second cause of death from cancer. It affects men slightly more often than it does women. This type of cancer develops slowly and causes colon polyps that grow inside of the colon. It can spread to other parts of the body at a later stage. The best path to prevention is removing the polyps while they are not cancerous. That is why early diagnosis before cancer develops gives the best chance of beating it.

It is advised for individuals at average-risk to start checkups at 50 years old. A colonoscopy is a commonly used screening test for finding polyps and diagnosing colorectal cancer.