Regular checkups and health screenings can improve your health and extend your life.  Catching health problems early, means more timely treatment before a health condition may become more serious and difficult to treat.  Early detection can also reduce your risk for disability or premature death.

The Men’s Health Network, annual sponsor of National Men’s Health Week, suggests the ollowing schedule for men’s health screenings and checkups:

Physical Exam

Ages 20-39 – every 3 years
Ages 40-49 – every 2 years
Ages 50+ -- every year

Blood Pressure – annually

TB Skin Test – every 5 years

Blood Tests & Urinalysis (including screening for cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction and other problems)

Ages 20-39 – every 3 years
Ages 40-49 – every 2 years
Ages 50+ – every year

Electrocardiogram – EKG

Baseline at age 30
Ages 40-49 – every 4 years
Ages 50+ -- every 3 years

Tetanus Booster – every 10 years

Rectal Exam – every year

PSA (prostate specific antigen) Blood Test – level increases when there is infection, enlargement or cancer

Ages 50+ – every year (earlier for African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer)

Hemoccult (blood in) Stool Screening – presence of blood could indicate possible polyps and colon cancer.

Ages 40-49 – every year
Ages 50+ – every year

Colorectal Flexible Scope Screening

Ages 50 – every 3-4 years

Chest X-ray – every year if a smoker and over age 45

Testicular Self-Exam – monthly

Bone Mineral Density – age 60, discuss with your doctor

Testosterone Screening – 40+, discuss with your doctor

Sexually Transmitted Diseases – sexually active adults at risk should be screened under doctor supervision

Discuss with your doctor about the benefits of regular health checkups and screenings.  Ask your doctor whether you may need them earlier or more often if you have special health risk factors or have a family history of a disease.

Source: Checkup and Screening Guidelines, For Men and Women: Get It Checked!,  Men’s Health etwork, www.menshealthnetwork.org. (Reported in Wellness News You Can Use, National Wellness Institute, May 2004)