Health screenings are medical tests that doctors use to check for diseases and health conditions. Regular screenings are important because they often find health issues before there are any signs or symptoms.1,2  

The earlier a condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome is likely to be. Yet, many men avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. The reasons are many, from not knowing the benefits of testing to worrying about the screening process or the results. 

Here's a list of health screenings that all men should consider, starting with a regular visit to a physician. 

1. Let’s get physicals. 

The first step to staying on top of recommended screenings is a routine physical. Research suggests that regular checkups translate to improvements in blood pressure control, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI), as well as better outcomes for some types of cancer.2

Experts generally agree that men older than 50 and anyone with chronic health conditions should get a yearly physical exam. Those younger than 50 and in good health should schedule a physical exam every three years.2 

2. Blood Pressure. 

High blood pressure affects more than half of men over age 18 in the United States. It’s referred to as a “silent killer” because it often has no noticeable symptoms and can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.3,4 

Blood pressure measures how hard blood is pushing against the walls of your arteries or how hard your heart is working to pump blood to your body. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A healthy blood pressure level is 120/80 mmHg or lower. High blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher. Elevated blood pressure is between the two levels and means you’re at risk for developing high blood pressure.3 

Men ages 40 or older and anyone younger with an increased risk of high blood pressure should be screened at least yearly. Factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure include: Smoking, stress, eating an unhealthy diet, having obesity, being sedentary, drinking alcohol, and your race – high blood pressure is common among Black people and develops at an earlier age. Those between ages 18 and 39 with an average risk for high blood pressure should get checked every three to five years.3

3. Cholesterol.

High cholesterol affects approximately 86 million Americans. Most people don’t have symptoms, but high cholesterol can lead to serious health problems like heart attack and stroke.5 

Your health-care professional will order a blood test called a lipid profile to measure levels of cholesterol – the waxy, fat-like substance that circulates in the blood. Measurements include information about your total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.2,6

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” because it can accumulate and block blood vessels. On the flip side, HDL cholesterol helps clear out LDL cholesterol. Guidelines recommend a total cholesterol of 150 mg/dL or lower, HDL cholesterol of at least 40 mg/dL, and an LDL cholesterol of 100 mg/dL or lower. Triglycerides should be under 150 mg/dL.2,6,7 

Your provider might advise repeat testing every five years if you’re under age 45 and your cholesterol is in the healthy range. Older age, a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks, smoking, eating a poor diet, being overweight, having obesity, diabetes, and lack of physical activity warrant more frequent testing.2,7

4. Obesity.

Almost 42% of American men have obesity, a statistic that carries many health consequences, including shorter life spans, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, arthritis, kidney disease, and depression.4,8

BMI works best as a tool for obesity screening if used along with other measurements of risk. This calculation measures your weight in relation to your height and places you into one of four categories:8,9

  • Underweight – BMI less than 18.5
  • Normal weight – BMI 18.5-24.9
  • Overweight – BMI 25-29.9
  • Obese – BMI 30 or higher

BMI as a primary calculation tool for obesity has its limitations. It might overestimate body fat in some people, such as a muscular athlete. BMI might also underestimate body fat, like when an older person is losing muscle mass. If your BMI falls between 25 and 35, your provider might measure your waist circumference to assess abdominal obesity. A waist measurement of 40 inches or higher in men is an independent risk factor for developing heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Experts recommend people of all ages get a BMI screening annually to keep track of any weight changes.8,9 

5. Diabetes. 

About 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes – the vast majority of these being type 2 diabetes. The disease causes high blood sugar levels and often develops gradually, with few symptoms.

One in five people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Many more have prediabetes or blood sugar levels that are elevated but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Diabetes can go undiagnosed for years, leading to health complications such as heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, and vision loss.10-12

A glycated hemoglobin (A1C) blood test is a measure of your average blood sugar over the previous three months. An elevated level can indicate diabetes or prediabetes.  Other testing options include a fasting blood sugar test or a random blood sugar test.11,12

Many professional organizations recommend diabetes screenings in adults with a BMI of 25 or higher and for those with risk factors for diabetes.12 If your test results fall within the normal range, your physician might recommend retesting in three years. If your results suggest prediabetes, retesting every one to two years is encouraged.11 

6. Colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death in men. It typically develops from precancerous growths, called polyps, in the colon or rectum.13 Several screening options are available.14

  • Colonoscopy – A long, thin, lighted tube is used to look for growths inside the entire colon and in the rectum. 
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy – A short, thin, lighted tube is used to examine the rectum and lower part of the colon.
  • Virtual colonoscopy – A CT colonography uses X-rays and computers to create images of the entire colon.
  • Stool tests – At-home testing uses chemicals, antibodies, or DNA analysis to find blood or other abnormalities in stool samples. 

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard test for colorectal cancer because the process can detect and remove growths – often before they become cancerous. Abnormal results found by other types of testing require follow-up with a colonoscopy.14

Experts recommend starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 and continuing through age 75. The method of testing dictates frequency; fecal tests might require retesting every one to three years. Imaging-based tests require testing every five to 10 years. If a colonoscopy finds polyps, or you have a bowel disease or family history of colorectal cancer, your provider will likely recommend more frequent testing.14

7. Prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer that’s detected early and confined to the prostate gland has the best chance of being successfully treated. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and remain confined to the prostate gland, without causing serious harm. This type of cancer might need minimal or no treatment. However, sometimes prostate cancer is aggressive and spreads quickly.15,16

There are two types of screening tests for prostate cancer. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures PSA levels in your blood. The other type of screening is a digital rectal exam, in which a provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities in the prostate.16

There is some disagreement among medical organizations as to whether the benefits of testing men who don’t have symptoms for prostate cancer outweigh any potential risks. For example, many factors can impact your PSA level, so having an elevated PSA level doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer.15,16

Experts suggest discussing prostate cancer screening with your physician at age 50 for men of average risk. Black men, those with a family history of prostate cancer, and men with genetic risks, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, should talk with their doctor starting at age 40 or 45.15,16 

8. Lung cancer.

Men have a greater risk than women of developing lung cancer, which often shows no symptoms until it’s advanced. Screening allows for early detection in high-risk people or those with a significant smoking history.17

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) creates detailed images of the lungs to look for growths.17 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends lung cancer screenings for men ages 50 to 80 who have a significant smoking history, even if they’ve quit.18

9. Depression.

Depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in men simply because many men don’t seek help. Men often have symptoms that are less recognized as depression, such as anger, irritability, and risk-taking behaviors.19 

Untreated depression is a significant risk factor for suicide and is linked to health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.19 Depression screening typically involves a questionnaire that asks how often you experience certain feelings, such as how often you feel tired or have little interest or pleasure in doing things. These answers help your provider determine if you are experiencing depression.2 There are no professional recommendations for how often to screen for depression. However, screening is usually part of a regular checkup.2 

10. Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happens when a lower part of the body's largest artery, called the aorta, becomes weak and bulges. The aorta is the body's leading supplier of blood and runs from the heart through the center of the chest and abdomen. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Screening helps detect an AAA before it ruptures and reduces the risk of death.20 

An ultrasound provides images of the abdomen and aorta to screen for an AAA. For men between ages 65 and 75 who have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime – a significant risk factor for AAA – the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a one-time ultrasound. The benefits of repeat screenings aren’t known. Men over 65 who have never smoked might consider screening if they have a family history of AAA or other risk factors.20

Getting regular screenings is one of the best ways to monitor your health and catch potential issues early. By making yourself a priority, you’re improving your quality of life and doing your part to ensure you have many healthy, fulfilling years ahead of you.

A word from Thorne

Fill any nutrient gaps for the men in your life with one of Thorne’s multivitamin/multimineral formulas, designed for people with varying needs:

References

  1. Top 5 reasons people don’t get screened for colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society. https://pressroom.cancer.org/Top5reasonscolorectalcancer. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  2. Viera AJ. Overview of preventative care in adults. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-preventive-care-in-adults. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  3. Get your blood pressure checked. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-your-blood-pressure-checked. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  4. Men’s health. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  5. High cholesterol facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  6. About cholesterol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/index.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  7. Get your cholesterol checked. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-your-cholesterol-checked. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  8. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Prevalence, screening, and evaluation. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/obesity-in-adults-prevalence-screening-and-evaluation. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  9. Preventative care and screening: Body mass index (BMI) screening and follow-up plan. Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement (CQI) Resource Center. https://ecqi.healthit.gov/ecqm/ec/2024/cms0069v12?qt-tabs_measure=measure-information. [Accessed August 15, 2024] 
  10. A report card: Diabetes in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/communication-resources/diabetes-statistics.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  11. Hawyard RA. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/screening-for-type-2-diabetes-mellitus. [Accessed August 15, 2024] 
  12. About type 2 diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-2-diabetes.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  13. Key statistics for colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  14. Screening for colorectal cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/index.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  15. Should I get screening for prostate cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer/screening/get-screened.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  16. Preston MA. Screening for prostate cancer. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/screening-for-prostate-cancer. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  17. Screening for lung cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/lung-cancer/screening/index.html. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  18. Final recommendation statement: Lung cancer screening. US Preventative Services Task Force. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  19. What is depression? National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression. [Accessed August 15, 2024]
  20. Kreager MA. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/screening-for-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm. [Accessed August 15, 2024]