PERIODIC
HEALTH CHECKUPS FOR MEN
Your doctor
will recommend that you have a physical examination and certain
screening tests periodically, depending on your age and health history.
The following are the most common tests recommended for men.
Eye
Examination
To check for any vision problems such as near- or far-sightedness
or eye muscle disorders and to look for any early signs of disease.
Those at risk: Men who have diabetes, high blood pressure,
or a family history of glaucoma.
Dental
Examination
To check for tooth decay, gum disease, and early signs of oral cancer.
Those at risk: Men who smoke or chew tobacco; men with
poor oral hygiene.
Blood
Pressure Measurement
To detect high blood pressure early, before it leads to stroke,
heart failure, or kidney failure.
Those at risk: Men with a family history of high blood
pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or stroke; men who are
overweight or have diabetes; men who smoke or use tobacco products.
Cholesterol
Test
To measure the blood levels of cholesterol and other fats, which
helps evaluate the risk of heart disease.
Those at risk: Men with a family history of heart disease;
men who have diabetes; men who smoke or use tobacco products.
Colon
and Rectum Examination
To look for signs of cancer of the colon, rectum, and prostate.
Includes rectal examination performed by hand by a doctor, fecal
occult blood test that checks for blood in the stool, sigmoidoscopy,
and possibly a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.
Those at risk: Men with a family history of colon or rectal
cancer; men who have intestinal polyps or ulcerative colitis; men
over age 50. African-American men have an increased risk of prostate
cancer and should start having prostate exams at age 45.
Comprehensive
Physical Examination
To regularly assess your current health status and to maintain an
ongoing relationship with your doctor. Be sure to see your doctor
as often as he or she recommends.
Tests Recommended
in Men Younger Than 30 Years
Test |
Men
at Average Risk |
Men
at High Risk |
| Eye |
Every
two years if you have vision problems |
Once
a year |
| Dental
|
Every
six months |
As
recommended by your dentist |
| Blood
Pressure |
Every
2 1/2 years beginning at age 20 |
Once a year |
| Colon
and Rectum |
Not
needed |
Once
a year after age 20 |
| Physical |
Twice
in your 20s |
Twice
in your 20s |
Tests Recommended in Men 30 to 50 Years Old
Test |
Men
at Average Risk |
Men
at High Risk |
| Eye |
Every
two years if you have vision problems; otherwise starting at
age 40 |
Once
a year |
| Dental |
Every
six months |
As
recommended by your dentist |
| Blood
Pressure |
Every
2 1/2 years |
Once
a year |
| Cholesterol |
Every
five years if normal |
As
recommended by your doctor |
| Colon
and Rectum |
Rectal
examination and fecal occult blood test once a year |
As
recommended by your doctor |
| Prostate
|
Not
needed |
Once
a year beginning at age 45 if you are African American or if
you are a white male with a family history of prostate cancer
|
| Physical |
Every
one to five years |
Every
one to five years |
Tests Recommended in Men Older Than 50 Years
Test |
Men
at Average Risk |
Men
at High Risk |
| Eye |
Every
Year |
At
least once a year |
| Dental |
Every
six months |
As
recommended by your dentist |
| Blood
Pressure |
Once
a year |
As
recommended by your doctor |
| Cholesterol |
Every
three to five years if normal |
As recommended by your doctor |
| Colon
and Rectum |
Rectal
examination and fecal occult blood test once a year; sigmoidoscopy
every three to five years; colonoscopy every 10 years |
Same
as for men at average risk or as recommended by your doctor |
| Prostate |
Once
a year |
Once
a year |
| Physical |
Every
one to two years to age 65; once a year after age 65 |
Same
as for men at average risk |
Excerpted
from: Complete Guide to Men's Health, American Medical Association,
2001.
|