Physical Exam

Physical exams are regular visits to your doctor to check your overall health. During a physical exam, your doctor will examine your body and talk to you about your health. They will perform basic screening tests, such as blood pressure measurement. Your doctor will also make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

Check with your doctor about how often you should have a physical exam. Guidelines vary based on your age and health status. In general, men should have a physical exam every one to three years.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer screening helps to detect prostate cancer before you have symptoms. There are two ways to screen for prostate cancer. During a digital rectal exam (DRE), your doctor inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel for changes in your prostate. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures a marker of prostate size in your blood. Both of these tests can detect changes in the prostate but cannot interpret what those changes mean. Further testing is needed if results are positive.

Generally, prostate cancer screening is considered most beneficial for men ages 55 to 69. However, they also recommend that men in this age group discuss the potential benefits and harms of screening with a primary care physician or urologist. Men younger than 55 with a family history are also advised to discuss prostate cancer screening before undergoing testing. Screening is not advised for men 70 years and older.

STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Screening

STI screening tests look for evidence of infections spread through sexual contact, before you have symptoms. STI tests are sometimes also called STD (sexually transmitted disease) tests. They often involve a small blood draw.

The need for screening depends on risk factors, such as having multiple sexual partners, intravenous (IV) drug use, and having sex with other men.

Cholesterol

A cholesterol test measures the level of cholesterol in your blood. This test helps predict your risk of heart disease and stroke. Blood pressure checks help doctors assess many illnesses and conditions, not just high blood pressure (HBP). If you have HBP, blood pressure checks also help to assess the effectiveness of your treatment. These tests are essential because high cholesterol and high blood pressure typically have no symptoms. And they are risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

It is recommended to have a complete blood cholesterol test, called a fasting lipoprotein profile, every five years starting at age 20.

Diabetes Test

A diabetes test analyzes your blood sugar, or glucose, level. High blood sugar may indicate that you have diabetes or prediabetes, a condition that puts you at high risk for developing diabetes. A diabetes test involves taking a small sample of your blood.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy allows doctors to examine the lining of your colon and rectum. It uses a thin, flexible instrument called a colonoscope. Your doctor uses the colonoscope to look for signs of colon and rectal cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. Your doctor can remove suspicious areas and investigate the causes of bowel symptoms. These include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements.

Most people should have a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 50. Ten years might seem like a long time between exams. But colon and rectal cancer develops slowly. If you have a high risk of colon and rectal cancer, you may need colonoscopies sooner and more frequently.

Bone Density Test

A bone density test measures bone mass. Bone mass is an indication of bone strength and is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes bones weak, brittle, and more likely to break. Many people think of osteoporosis as a woman's disease. But up to one in four men over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. A common technique for measuring bone density is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), a painless scan. You simply lie down during this screening test.

Many health experts recommend that men have a bone density test at age 70. If you are younger than 70, you might need a bone density test if you have rheumatoid arthritis, a family history of osteoporosis, have had previous fractures, or have taken steroids for a long time. You might also consider this test if you smoke or have smoked, or if you are a heavy drinker.

Hearing and Vision Screening

A hearing screening determines how well you can hear different tones. A vision screening assesses your ability to see near and far, your field of vision, and your ability to discern colors. Eye exams can detect eye problems before you have symptoms. They can also detect signs of diseases, such as high blood pressure.

Oral Health Checkup

An oral health checkup includes a teeth cleaning, an examination of your oral health, and X-rays of your mouth. These checkups help you maintain your ability to chew, speak, and smile. Your dentist can also diagnose mouth cancer, gum disease, oral infections such as cold sores, and other conditions that could spread to the rest of your body.

You should have an oral health checkup and teeth cleaning one to two times per year throughout your adult life. Your dentist may recommend more frequent checkups if you have chronic illnesses, such as diabetes.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening checks for bulges in your aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from your heart. Part of the aorta runs through the abdomen to supply blood to the lower body. If left untreated, AAAs can burst, causing internal bleeding, shock, and death. AAA screening involves a short ultrasound scan of part of your abdomen.