Men – checklist for your next checkup

Posted: Sept. 1, 2004

Screening tests, such as colorectal cancer tests, can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Some men need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others. Talk to your doctor about which of the tests listed below are right for you, when you should have them, and how often. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force has made the following recommendations, based on scientific evidence, about which screening tests you should have.

• Cholesterol Checks: Have your cholesterol checked at least every five years, starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.
• Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years.
• Colorectal Cancer Tests: Begin regular screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. How often you need to be tested will depend on which test you have.
• Diabetes Tests: Have a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Depression: If you've felt "down," sad, or hopeless, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 consecutive weeks, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen you for depression.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV.
• Prostate Cancer Screening: Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening if you are considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE).

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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