Screening Tests for Men
What You Need and When
Screening tests can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Health experts from the
US Preventative Services Task Force have made recommendations, based on scientific evidence, about testing for the conditions below. Talk to your doctor about which ones apply to you and when and how often you should be tested.
Obesity
Have your
body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for
obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.) You can also find your own BMI with the
BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
High Cholesterol
Have your
cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35.
If you are younger than 35, talk to your doctor about whether to have your cholesterol checked if:
High Blood Pressure
Have your
blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
Colorectal Cancer
Have a test for
colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
Diabetes
Have a test for
diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Depression
Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for
depression.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis,
chlamydia, or other
sexually transmitted infections.
HIV
Talk to your doctor about
HIV screening if you:
- Have had sex with men since 1975
- Have had unprotected sex with multiple partners
- Have used or now use injection drugs
- Exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do
- Have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs
- Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases
- Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever smoked (100 or more cigarettes during your lifetime), you need to be screened once for
abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your abdomen.
Dr. Jacques Carter, a primary care physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, would also add regular prostate cancer screenings to this list-especially for African-American men or those with a family history of the disease.
The above is a general list of tests most men need. As always, you are urged to check with your doctor about other tests that might be important for you.
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted September 2010