A balanced diet. Regular exercise. Rest. These are all key parts of a healthy lifestyle. But in addition to what you do to take care of yourself on a daily basis, there’s another important activity that helps you look after your health: staying up to date on your preventive care.

Routine health care, such as checkups, screenings and other forms of preventive care, provides snapshots of your current health and gives doctors opportunities to catch health conditions as early as possible. Plus, preventive care is often completely covered by insurance.

In most cases, all it takes is a yearly visit with your doctor to get the recommended preventive care. However, the screenings you need change as you get older. Studies have shown that the risk of developing certain conditions increases at certain ages, meaning that you may need additional screenings as you get older to stay on top of your health. Learn which preventive screenings are needed regularly, which ones are needed at specific times, and how risk factors and medical history impact preventive care recommendations.

Screenings in your 20s | Screenings in your 30s | Screenings in your 40s | Screenings in your 50s | Screenings at age 65 and beyond

What screenings and checkups do men need regularly?

Specific screenings become more important as we age, but checkups are the foundation for the rest of your preventive care. Men of all ages can benefit from scheduling regular appointments for:

Annual physicals

Annual physical exams are important for checking on your overall health. These appointments are opportunities to talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about your health, stay up-to-date on immunizations and get recommendations for improving your health. During your yearly physical, your doctor will check your blood pressure and any lab work that may be due.

Dental exams

Don’t forget about taking care of your teeth and gums. Many oral health conditions can contribute to conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure if they’re left untreated. A dental checkup is an opportunity to get a deeper cleaning on your teeth than you can do at home, treat issues like tooth decay and gingivitis early, and get preventive care like fluoride treatments. Dental exams should generally be scheduled every 6-12 months, but your dentist will work with you to set a personalized schedule.

Eye exams

We only get one pair of eyes, so it’s important to take care of them. Eye exams assess the health of each part of your eyes, as well as your eye muscles, depth perception, ability to see color, peripheral vision and how your pupils respond to light. If you wear glasses or contacts, your eye doctor will also check to see if you need an updated prescription to make sure you can see as clearly as possible. The American Optometric Association recommends getting an eye exam at least once every two years for adults who aren’t at risk of eye issues, and annually for those who are.

Men’s preventive health screenings in your 20s

Screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

If you’re sexually active, one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your partners is getting regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have symptoms, you should get tested right away, but STIs often don’t have symptoms, which is why screenings are so important.

It’s recommended that all adults get a one-time screening for hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but additional or repeated screenings may be recommended depending on your medical history and lifestyle.

STI screening options can vary

There are specific screenings for each STI, which include blood tests, urine tests and swabs of your mouth, throat or genital area. So, unless you’re experiencing specific symptoms like warts, sores, rashes or discharge, it’s common to have multiple STI screenings at the same time.

When to get tested for STIs and STDs

You should always get screened for STIs and STDs before becoming sexually active with a new partner – and your partner should get screened, too. Your doctor may recommend regular screenings based on certain risk factors, such as having had an STI before, having a partner with an STI, or sharing needles for drug use.

Men’s preventive health screenings in your 30s

Diabetes screenings

Diabetes impacts the body’s ability to process sugar, causing sugar to build up in the blood. This has been linked to a range of health issues, including heart and kidney conditions, stroke and vision loss. The majority of diabetes cases can either be prevented or managed with lifestyle changes and medication, but it often takes time for symptoms to appear. Preventive screenings for diabetes are generally recommended starting around age 3.

Diabetes screening options

A doctor may use one or more of the following blood tests to screen for diabetes:

  • An A1c test measures your average blood sugar levels over the previous few months.
  • A fasting blood sugar test measures your blood sugar levels after an extended period of not eating (fasting), such as overnight and into the morning.
  • A glucose tolerance test involves fasting, then drinking a sugary beverage and measuring your blood sugar levels over the following 2-3 hours.
  • A random blood sugar test is just what it sounds like – measuring your blood sugar levels at a random time, without any special preparations.

When to get diabetes screenings

If you don’t have any risk factors for diabetes, screenings are recommended every three years. Screenings may be recommended earlier and more frequently if you:

  • Have higher than normal blood sugar levels (pre-diabetes)
  • Are overweight or get little to no exercise
  • Have high blood pressure or heart disease
  • Have an immediate family member who has diabetes

Cholesterol screenings

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in blood. The body uses it for digestion, building cells and making hormones, but having too much of it can cause plaque to build up in your veins and make it harder for blood to flow. This can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

High cholesterol doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, so screenings are the only way to detect it. All healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked periodically.

Cholesterol is screened using a lipid profile

A lipid profile, also known as a lipid panel or complete cholesterol test, measures four types of fat:

  • Total cholesterol The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol The “bad” type of cholesterol that reduces blood flow by creating fat deposits in your arteries.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol The “good” type of cholesterol that helps blood flow by carrying excess cholesterol back to the liver.
  • Triglycerides Fats created from calories that your body doesn’t need to use right away.

When to get a cholesterol screening

If you have normal cholesterol levels, screenings are recommended every five years until age 45, then every 1-2 years until age 65, then annually. A doctor may recommend more frequent screenings if you:

  • Gain weight or change your diet
  • Have diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease
  • Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks
  • Are overweight or don’t exercise
  • Have more than two alcoholic drinks per day
  • Smoke
  • Eat a diet high in saturated fats, such as from meat and dairy

Men’s preventive health screenings in your 40s

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancers, which form in the large intestine and rectum, are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. When they’re found and treated at an early stage, the American Cancer Society estimates that the five-year relative survival rate is around 90%. However, these early stages often have no symptoms, which makes screenings especially important. Colorectal cancer screenings are generally recommended starting at age 45. If you have a family member who has had colorectal cancer, screenings are often recommended starting 10 years before the age that they were diagnosed.

Colorectal cancer screenings include sample testing or examinations

There are two main types of colorectal cancer screenings, and they’re done at different frequencies. Examination-based tests like colonoscopies, in which a doctor looks for swelling or polyps (small abnormal growths) in the lining of the colon, are recommended around every 10 years. Sample-based tests, like fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), are another option for colorectal cancer screening. With these tests, you send a stool sample to a lab for analysis. They’re typically done each year. If your FIT test detects signs of colorectal cancer, your doctor will likely follow up with a colonoscopy.

When to get colorectal cancer screenings

The exact frequency of colorectal cancer screenings depends on the type of test you choose, as well as your risk factors. More frequent screenings may be recommended if you:

  • Have a family history of colorectal cancer
  • Have a personal history of colon polyps
  • Have had radiation treatment on your abdomen or pelvic area
  • Have an inflammatory bowel disease, Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
  • Have unhealthy lifestyle factors like those that contribute to diabetes and high cholesterol, such as being overweight, not exercising regularly, smoking and drinking alcohol

Men’s preventive health screenings in your 50s

Lung cancer screenings

Lung cancer is the third-most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Like other cancers, it can be treated more effectively the earlier it’s found. But unlike some other cancers, screening generally isn’t recommended unless you’re at a higher risk of developing the condition. This is often determined by your smoking history.

It’s recommended that people with a high risk of lung cancer get annual screenings from around age 50 until age 80.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT): the only recommended lung cancer screening

A LDCT scan is a type of X-ray that uses low doses of radiation to take multiple detailed pictures of your lungs. It only takes a few minutes and doesn’t require any special preparations.

Who should get screened for lung cancer

Lung cancer screenings are recommended for anyone who has at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smokes or has quit in the last 15 years. Pack-years are calculated by multiplying the average number of packs you smoke per day by the number of years you’ve smoked.

Osteoporosis screenings

Osteoporosis, meaning porous bones, is a condition that causes bones to become thin and brittle. Bone density naturally decreases with age, but some people lose more than others. This can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, but anyone age 50-64 with risk factors for low bone density can benefit from talking with their doctor about screening.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to screen for osteoporosis

A DXA scan is an advanced form of X-ray that’s used to look at the mineral density of your bones. Doctors typically pay special attention to common fracture points (the hip and lumbar spine), but they’ll use the full results to determine your overall risk of bone fracture. DXA screenings for osteoporosis are generally repeated every two years.

Who should get screened for osteoporosis

Talk with your doctor about osteoporosis screenings if you:

  • Have a history of long-term steroid use
  • Have an immediate family member who has experienced osteoporosis-related fractures
  • Have a small frame or low body weight
  • Smoke
  • Have more than two alcoholic drinks per day

Prostate cancer screenings

Cancer of the prostate – the walnut-sized reproductive gland located below the bladder – is the most common cancer in American men, affecting around 13 in every 100, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The biggest risk factors for prostate cancer are age and a family history of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is also more common in the African American community.

Screenings for prostate cancer can be more nuanced than others. In the United States, it’s recommended that men who are 55-69 years old discuss the topic with their doctor. Some countries consider screenings starting at age 45, and timing may be adjusted based on risk factors like family history.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening

Prostate cancer screening involves testing a blood sample for PSA, a protein made by the prostate gland. Higher levels may indicate a higher risk of prostate cancer, but PSA levels can also be affected by other factors like age, prostate size, sexual activity and inflammation. PSA tests may also return false positive results or detect prostate cancer that’s growing slowly enough to have no impact on quality of life. It’s important to talk with your doctor about whether prostate cancer screenings are right for you.

When to get a prostate cancer screening

If you talk with your doctor and decide to get screened for prostate cancer, the frequency of screenings will depend on your results. If you have high PSA levels, your doctor may recommend annual screenings. Otherwise, they may recommend screenings every other year.

Men’s preventive health screenings starting at age 65

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the aorta, the major artery that runs from the heart to the abdomen. If an aortic aneurysm gets too big, it has a risk of rupturing, which can be life threatening. The strongest risk factors for an abdominal aortic aneurysm are family history, being male and smoking. Screening is sometimes recommended for men between the ages of 65-75.

Abdominal scans and aneurysm screening

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be detected with various imaging tests including CT scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, so they’re often found during testing for other health concerns. If you visit your doctor specifically for an aortic aneurysm screening, they’ll typically use an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves, to show the shape of the aorta and the flow of blood through it.

Who should get screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms

It’s recommended that men who have ever smoked cigarettes get a one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Stay up to date with your preventive care to live your healthiest life

Regardless of the lifestyle you lead, you don’t know everything that’s going on in your body. Preventive care can fill in the gaps – and the closer you stick to your doctors’ recommendations, the clearer a picture you can get of your overall health.

From annual physicals to age-specific screenings, preventive care allows your doctor to track your health, treat issues as early as possible and offer advice to help you stay well.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for a routine visit if you have health concerns. If you’re currently experiencing symptoms or are interested in a specific screening, schedule an appointment today.