From the Guidelines
Men should undergo regular health screenings throughout their lives to detect potential health issues early, including discussions about prostate cancer screening starting at age 50, or 45 for high-risk men, as recommended by the American Cancer Society guidelines 1. These screenings include:
- Blood pressure checks annually
- Cholesterol screening every 4-6 years (more frequently if at risk)
- Diabetes screening every 3 years after age 45
- Colorectal cancer screening starting at 45 (colonoscopy every 10 years or other methods like FIT tests annually)
- Prostate cancer screening discussions beginning at 50 (or 45 for high-risk men)
- Testicular self-exams monthly
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening once between 65-75 for those who have smoked Men should also receive routine vaccinations including:
- Annual flu shots
- Tdap every 10 years
- Shingles vaccine after 50
- Pneumococcal vaccines after 65 Regular dental checkups twice yearly and eye exams every 2-4 years are important. Lifestyle interventions include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly (150 minutes of moderate activity weekly)
- Limiting alcohol to two drinks daily
- Avoiding tobacco
- Managing stress
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins These screenings and interventions are crucial because men typically seek healthcare less frequently than women and may have unique risk factors for certain conditions like heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in men 1. The decision to screen for prostate cancer should be based on a shared decision-making approach, taking into account the patient's individual risk factors, values, and preferences 1. Asymptomatic men who have less than a 10-year life expectancy based on age and health status should not be offered prostate cancer screening 1. For men who choose to be screened for prostate cancer after a process of shared or informed decision making, screening is recommended with a PSA test, with or without DRE, and the screening interval can be extended to every 2 years for men with PSA levels less than 2.5 ng/mL 1.
From the Research
Health Screenings for Men
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is a common screening tool for prostate cancer, and its role has been reinforced in recent years 2
- Blood pressure measurements can also be associated with prostate cancer risk, although the relationship is complex and may depend on various factors such as disease severity and PSA testing 3
Interventions for Men's Health
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin may have a potential role in reducing prostate inflammation and prostate cancer risk, although more research is needed to confirm this association 4
- Certain medications, including NSAIDs, thiazide diuretics, and statins, may affect serum total prostate-specific antigen levels and risk group assignment in patients with prostate cancer, highlighting the need for careful consideration of medication use in clinical decision-making 5
Considerations for Clinical Practice
- The use of PSA testing as a screening tool has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality rates and detecting more aggressive cases of prostate cancer 2
- Clinical guidelines for men's health should take into account the latest scientific evidence and consider factors such as patient preferences, feasibility, and resource allocation 6