The Men’s Health Network provides this maintenance schedule for men as a reminder of your need to take responsibility for safeguarding your health. Regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings CAN improve your health and reduce premature death and disability. You should consult your health care provider about the benefits of earlier screenings, especially if you are a member of a high-risk group or have a family history of disease.
| Checkups and Screenings |
When?
Every |
20-39 |
40-49 |
50+ |
| Physical Exam: Review overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health related topics. |
3 yrs
2 yrs
year |
X |
X |
X |
| Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (Hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent
damage to body organs. |
year |
X |
X |
X |
| TB Skin Test: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at direction of
physician. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications. |
5 yrs |
X |
X |
X |
| Blood Tests & Urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. |
3 yrs
2 yrs
year
|
X |
X |
X |
| EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. Baseline at Age 30. |
Age 30
4 yrs
3 yrs
|
X |
X |
X |
| Tetanus Booster: Prevents lockjaw. |
10 yrs |
X |
X |
X |
| Rectal Exam: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon and prostate cancer. |
year |
X |
X |
X |
| PSA Blood Test: Prostate Specific Antigen is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement or cancer. Testing should be done in collaboration with your physician. |
year |
|
* |
X |
| Hemoccult: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. |
year |
|
X |
X |
| Colorectal Health: A flexible scope examines the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon for cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early. |
3-4 yrs |
|
|
X |
| Chest X-Ray: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer. |
Discuss with a physician |
|
X |
X |
| Self-Exams: Testicle: To find lumps in their earliest stages. Skin: To look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer. Oral: To look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth. Breast: To find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages. |
Monthly by self |
X |
X |
X |
| Bone Health: Bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of your physician. |
Discuss with a physician |
|
|
Age 60 |
| Testosterone Screening: Low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test. |
Discuss with a physician |
|
X |
X |
| Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs. |
Under physician supervision |
X |
Discuss |
* African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer may wish to begin prostate screening at age 40, or earlier.