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Tag: prostate

Health Screenings For Men

SELF-CARE CORNER

Men can face health challenges at each stage of life. A yearly visit with a primary care doctor ensures access to the appropriate screenings. While some screenings are a standard part of routine medical care, a doctor may recommend additional screenings specific to a man’s health and family history.

Men aged 18 to 39

* Blood pressure

* Cholesterol and heart disease screening

* Physical exam

* Diabetes screening

* Eye exam

* Dental exam

* Infectious disease screening, including STIs

* Immunizations

* Skin self-exam

* Testicular exam

Men aged 40 to 64

* Blood pressure

* Cholesterol and heart disease screening

* Physical exam

* Diabetes screening

* Eye exam

* Dental exam

* Infectious disease screening, including STIs

* Immunizations

* Skin self-exam

* Testicular exam

* Colon cancer screening

* Lung cancer screening

* Osteoporosis screening

* Prostate cancer screening

Men aged 65 and over

* Blood pressure

* Cholesterol and heart disease screening

* Physical exam

* Diabetes screening

* Eye exam & hearing test

* Dental exam

* Infectious disease screening, including STIs

* Immunizations

* Skin exam

* Colon cancer screening

* Lung cancer screening

* Osteoporosis screening

* Prostate cancer screening

* Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Men’S Health

Men’s Health

Common reasons men give for not seeing a doctor or getting health screenings are, “I feel fine” and “I’m afraid of what the doctor will find.”

Don’t wait until you get sick to find a doctor. It is better to prevent a health problem than to get it. The next best thing is to detect and treat an illness early.

Testicular cancer is very curable, especially when it is found and treated in its early stages. Do a testicular self-exam monthly.

Erectile dysfunction is usually caused by blood vessel diseases, diabetes, and other physical problems.

An enlarged prostate gland is common. Signs of this are the need to pass urine more often, especially at night and delay in onset and/or slow stream of urine flow. If you have these signs, see your doctor. They can also be signs of a prostate infection or prostate cancer.

Discuss prostate cancer screening with your doctor if you are a male aged 50 to 69; starting at 45 if you are an African American male; 40 and older if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

Though rare, men can get breast cancer.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prostate Cancer

Cancer

This cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the risk of having prostate cancer rises after age 50.

Men aged 50 to 69 years should discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their doctors. African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should do this starting at age 40.

When present, symptoms of prostate cancer include:

* Passing urine often or having a hard time passing urine

* Pain and burning when you pass urine, have an erection, or ejaculate. Pain in the hips, pelvis, ribs, or spine

* Blood in the urine

Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms, which can be the same ones for other prostate problems.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Important Health Screenings For Men

WELL-BEING

Even if you feel fine, you should see your doctor for regular health screenings. Many health conditions cause no symptoms in their earliest stages. Screenings can help you get earlier treatment and a better outcome. The National Institutes of Health recommends the following tests for men:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm:

Adults ages 65 to 75 who have smoked may need this screening once. Others should consult with their doctor.

Blood pressure:

Every one to two years, depending on your risk factors or health conditions.

Cholesterol:

Beginning at age 35, every five years if levels are normal. Men with high blood pressure, other risk factors for heart disease or certain health conditions may need to get screened sooner or more often.

Colon cancer:

Screening may begin at age 50, or earlier, if you have a family history of the disease, certain risk factors or certain health conditions.

Diabetes:

Every three years beginning at age 45. Earlier and/or more frequent testing may be advised if you have certain risk factors.

Eyes:

Every one to two years, or more often if you have glaucoma, have certain eye conditions or if your doctor recommends it.

Hearing:

Adults over age 65 may need a hearing test if signs of hearing loss are present.

Lung cancer:

Annual screening may be recommended for adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year (smoke one pack per day for 30 years) smoking history AND currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Osteoporosis:

Discuss screening with your doctor if you are over age 50.

Physical exam:

Height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) should be measured at well visits.

Prostate cancer:

Discuss screening with your doctor. Men with certain risk factors may need screenings beginning at age 45.

Sexually transmitted infections:

Depending on age, lifestyle and medical history, you may need to discuss with your doctor about getting tested for chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and other infections.

Men of all ages and health statuses need regular health screenings. Call your doctor to schedule your well visit!

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Men’S Health 2

MEDICAL NEWS

Increasing awareness of health problems that can be prevented among men and encourage men and boys to get early detection and treatment of disease and injury.

6 health tests men need

Here are 6 essential screening tests all men should receive during their lifetime, according to pathologist and men’s health expert Dr. Thomas Wheeler, Baylor College of Medicine.

1.Prostate cancer:The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test was developed to help detect prostate cancer in men, but experts now disagree about treating the cancer if detected. Men, starting at age 50, should speak with their docs about the pros and cons of screening. For those in high-risk categories, this conversation should begin at age 45 or earlier.

2.Blood pressure:It’s a simple and painless test for the “silent killer.” Why? Because high blood pressure has no symptoms. Often, simple diet changes and regular exercise can lower blood pressure. If not, the medications to control blood pressure are well tolerated and do not cost a lot.

3.Cholesterol:A cholesterol test also is a simple screening test and is advised for men at least every 5 years, or yearly if abnormal.

4.Colon cancer:This is the third most common cancer in Americans. Beginning at age 50, men should be screened for precancerous polyps and colon cancer. Screening tests include the fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.

5.Skin cancer:Limiting sun exposure and receiving regular check-ups can help men avoid this common cancer including melanoma – a potentially deadly form.

6.Diabetes:Men 45 years and older should be tested for type 2 diabetes every 3 years. Common screening blood tests are fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Diabetes can be detected early before complications of more advanced disease set in.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Understanding Enlarged Prostate

MEDICAL NEWS

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, sometimes called BPH or enlarged prostate, is a condition where a man’s prostate gland gets larger. It is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50. And, up to 90 percent of men over age 80 have it.

An enlarged prostate is not cancer, and for many men, it’s not serious. But, it can cause some symptoms that are bothersome, such as urinating too frequently, trouble starting or stopping urinating and incontinence. This happens when the prostate gets too large and blocks the urethra, which lets urine out of the body. Or, it can stress the bladder as it tries to force urine past the blockage.

In rare cases, an enlarged prostate can cause serious problems such as kidney damage. That’s why it’s important to talk with a doctor about enlarged prostate and to follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Don’t ignore these signs

Enlarged prostate is usually not serious. But, some symptoms could signal a more serious problem. Get medical care right away if you notice any of these signs:

* Complete inability to urinate

* Fever and chills along with frequent and painful urination

* Blood in urine

* Severe pain in lower belly and/or urinary tract

How enlarged prostate is treated

Treatment is based on symptoms and lifestyle. Many men who have mild symptoms find that lifestyle changes can help. Some recommendations include:

* Drink less fluids, especially before bedtime or when you won’t be near a bathroom.

* Avoid caffeine and/or alcohol. These can irritate the bladder and increase urination, which can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

* Avoid medications that can cause urination problems, including cold medicines with decongestants, antihistamines for allergies, diuretics and some antidepressants.

* Train your bladder, which means to gradually hold urine for longer periods.

* Exercises to strengthen muscles in the pelvic floor region of your body.

* Prevent and/or treat constipation, which can irritate a stressed bladder.

Lifestyle changes usually help improve quality of life for men with an enlarged prostate. But if they don’t, your doctor may discuss medications or minimally invasive procedures. Surgery is usually not needed, but it is an option for severe cases.

Fortunately, this common health issue can be managed and treated. Get regular checkups with your doctor or urologist to keep symptoms under control.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026