From the Guidelines
A 50-year-old man should undergo several routine health screenings to maintain optimal health, including a comprehensive physical examination, laboratory tests, and screenings for colorectal and prostate cancer, as recommended by the American Cancer Society and other reputable organizations 1.
Routine Health Screenings
The following screenings are essential for a 50-year-old man:
- Comprehensive physical examination, including blood pressure measurement, body mass index calculation, and a thorough medical history review
- Laboratory tests, including:
- Complete blood count
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Lipid profile to check cholesterol levels
- Fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C to screen for diabetes
- Colorectal cancer screening, typically with a colonoscopy every 10 years or alternative tests like annual FIT (fecal immunochemical test) 1
- Prostate cancer screening through PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing, which should be discussed with a doctor, weighing the benefits and risks 1
Additional Screenings and Assessments
Other important screenings and assessments include:
- Eye examination
- Dental check-up
- Skin examination for suspicious moles
- Immunization updates, including tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years, annual flu vaccine, and possibly shingles and pneumococcal vaccines
- Depression screening
- Lifestyle assessment regarding diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status
Medical Evaluation and Exercise Prescription
According to the American Heart Association, men over 45 years of age who are planning to undertake vigorous exercise should consider a medical screening, particularly if they have diabetes mellitus or two other risk factors for cardiovascular disease 1. It is crucial to discuss the benefits and risks of each screening with a doctor and make informed decisions based on individual health status and risk factors 1.
From the Research
Routine Health Workup for a 50-year-old Male
The routine health workup for a 50-year-old male should include the following components:
- Medical history:
- Physical examination:
- Screening tests:
- Lipid screening: warranted in all men 35 years and older, and in men 20 to 34 years of age who have cardiovascular risk factors 2
- Colorectal cancer screening: should begin at 50 years of age in men of average risk and continue until at least 75 years of age 2, 3
- Options for colorectal cancer screening include:
- Immunizations: should be recommended according to guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 3
Additional Recommendations
- Men with sustained blood pressures greater than 135/80 mm Hg should be screened for diabetes mellitus 2
- One-time screening ultrasonography for detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm is recommended in men 65 to 75 years of age who have ever smoked 2, 3
- Lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography is recommended in men 55 to 80 years of age who have at least a 30-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years 3, 4
- There is insufficient evidence to recommend screening men for osteoporosis or skin cancer 2
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has provisionally recommended against prostate-specific antigen-based screening for prostate cancer because the harms of testing and overtreatment outweigh potential benefits 2
- Screening for prostate cancer using prostate-specific antigen testing in men 55 to 69 years of age should be individualized using shared decision making 3