Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Test
A one-time test to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm is recommended at age 65 for men who have ever smoked. An is a ballooned blood vessel and can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males. Symptoms include pulsating sensations or pain in the abdomen. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of in the Health Encyclopedia.
BMI Measurement
A BMI measurement--a calculation based on your height and weight--should be done every two years after age 20. Considering that nearly one-third of all Americans are obese, a body mass index (BMI) test is more important than ever. Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, arthritis, gallstones and elevated cholesterol levels. To find out more about , visit the Health Encyclopedia, and using the online health tools.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer screening, using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy is recommended for men and women beginning at age 50 and continuing until age 75. Screening can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease. Talk to your doctor about which screening test to use, when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested. Learn more about in the Health Encyclopedia.
Dental Checkup
A semi-annual dental checkup is not just for kids; all adults should get a dental checkup twice a year after age 18. A visit to the dentist is an easy and preventive action against gum disease. And, as we are just finding out, a more aggressive form of gum disease, called periodontal disease, has been linked to diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. A dental checkup may include , to diagnose any problems with the teeth or gums; periodontal probing of the gums and teeth; and a thorough cleaning, along with oral cancer screening.
Diabetes Screening
More than 20 million Americans have diabetes, and almost one-third are not aware that they have it. The majority of these cases are type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include your age and your family history. Screening for diabetes is recommended for asymptomatic men and women with sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80. Screening usually measures a fasting blood glucose level. For more information about diabetes, see the Health Encyclopedia's .
Eye Exam
Routine vision screening with Snellen acuity testing (an eye chart) is recommended for anyone over age 65. As you age, your vision tends to decrease. Issues with your vision can be caused by glaucoma, cataracts and other problems. Visit the Health Encyclopedia for more information about . And get in-depth information about your sight--and how to keep it clear--in this , which includes a video Q&A with an ophthalmologist.
Hearing Test
Minor decreases in hearing are normal after age 20. Hearing problems usually come on gradually, and rarely end in complete deafness. However, adults over age 65 should be screened for hearing impairment, and those who report impaired hearing should be tested with audiometry. Hearing tests become more important the older you get, because hearing loss is a chronic condition among aging adults. The Health Encyclopedia contains more information on .
Hypertension
Hypertension means high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure and other health problems. Regular blood pressure screening is recommended every two years for all men. Get an in-depth guide to what is in the Health Encyclopedia. And find out more about the causes, symptoms, treatments for high blood pressure--as well as the potential complications--in the Health Encyclopedia's guide to .
Lipid Panel
Men aged 35 and older should be screened for cholesterol problems with a lipid panel. Screening should be performed every five years if the results are normal, and more frequently if they are abnormal. A lipid panel is a complete that measures four types of fats in the blood stream: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol that causes plaque build up on artery walls), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the good cholesterol), triglycerides, and total cholesterol. A lipid panel is a test that's done simply by drawing blood. Find out more about in the Health Encyclopedia.
PSA Blood Test
The PSA blood test is available to screen for cancer of the prostate in men under age 75. However, false positive tests can occur and may lead to physical and psychological harm. In addition, some men treated for prostate cancer detected by screening would not develop symptoms related to prostate cancer during their lifetime, and prostate cancer treatment can cause harm, including erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction and death. On balance, there is insufficient evidence (it is unknown) whether or not PSA screening is beneficial. Men should consult their physician for further advice. For more information on , see the Health Encyclopedia.
Counseling
Healthy adult men should discuss and receive counseling about the following topics:
- Misuse of alcohol
- Use of aspirin for prevention of heart attack and stroke
- Screening for depression
- Weight loss (if obese)
- Promotion of physical activity
- Risks and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
- Risks for HIV, and screening for it if risk is elevated
- Tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease
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