Men’s health 101: The checkups you shouldn’t put off
You exercise. You get enough sleep. You watch what you eat. But there’s one healthy habit too many men skip: routine medical screenings.
“Routine screenings are essential for understanding your risk of heart disease, prostate cancer and other conditions that become more common as men age,” says Dr. David Benjamin, a genitourinary oncologist at Hoag Family Cancer Institute. “Yet too many men put them off or skip them altogether.”
Recommended screenings by age group
20s & 30s: Annual wellness visits include screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and other key health markers. Starting early lets your doctor spot warning signs, such as rising cardiovascular risk, before they become serious problems.
40s & 50s: Routine screening for prostate cancer, colon cancer, and other chronic conditions often begin during this stage of life for average-risk adults. The goal is not only early detection, but identifying risk factors and trends before disease develops.
60s & 70s: Use these years to focus on baseline tests that support healthy aging: cognitive screenings, hearing and vision, balance and gait, and bone density.
When to talk to your doctor about prostate cancer
“People of average risk for prostate and other cancers should discuss screening options with their primary care physician starting at age 50,” Dr. Benjamin says. “If you are at elevated risk, or if you are unsure whether you are at elevated risk, consult a Hoag specialist to determine whether earlier or more frequent screening may be appropriate.”
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with approximately 1 in 8 men diagnosed during their lifetime. According to Dr. Benjamin, the following symptoms should prompt a conversation with your physician:
Urinary changes
Persistent pain in the lower back, legs, pelvis or spine
Extreme fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Sexual dysfunction
“Because some prostate cancers cause no symptoms until they are advanced, screening is critical,” Dr. Benjamin says. “Early detection significantly improves outcomes.”
Your screening checklist
Dr. Benjamin also highlighted several important screenings that are often overlooked:
Colonoscopy/colon cancer screening
Skin cancer evaluation
Prostate symptom evaluation
Men’s mental health screening
Diabetes screening
Lung cancer screening in former smokers
Cardiac risk evaluation (especially if there is family history)
Fear of a diagnosis keeps some men from scheduling screenings, but Dr. Benjamin says that concern is exactly why early detection matters.
“With today’s advanced treatment options, catching something early means more choices, better outcomes and a better quality of life,” he says. “Don’t wait for symptoms to make the appointment.”
