From the Guidelines
For a 45-year-old man, health maintenance should focus on preventive care and screening, with a strong emphasis on colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45, as recommended by the American Cancer Society 1.
Key Recommendations
- Regular annual physical exams, including blood pressure monitoring, with a goal of maintaining it below 120/80 mmHg.
- Cholesterol screening should be done every 5 years, aiming for LDL below 100 mg/dL.
- Diabetes screening with fasting blood glucose or HbA1c is advised every 3 years.
- Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45, with options including colonoscopy every 10 years or annual FIT testing, as the American Cancer Society recommends starting screening at this age due to the increasing incidence of CRC in younger adults 1.
- Maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise (150 minutes of moderate activity weekly) and a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed foods and excessive alcohol (no more than 2 drinks daily) 1.
- Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date, including tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years, annual flu shot, and COVID-19 vaccines as recommended.
- Regular dental check-ups twice yearly and eye exams every 2-3 years are important.
- Mental health should not be neglected, with stress management techniques incorporated into daily life.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Engage in at least moderate activity for 30 minutes or more on five or more days of the week, or 45 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity on five or more days per week, as recommended for reducing the risk of breast and colon cancer 1.
- Increase fibre intake, consume probiotic and prebiotic foods, and stay hydrated to support gut health 1.
- Limit processed foods and added sugars, which can negatively impact gut health and contribute to inflammation 1.
Prostate Cancer Screening
- The American College of Physicians recommends that clinicians inform men between the age of 50 and 69 years about the limited potential benefits and substantial harms of screening for prostate cancer, and base the decision to screen on the risk for prostate cancer, a discussion of the benefits and harms of screening, the patient's general health and life expectancy, and patient preferences 1.
- For a 45-year-old man, prostate cancer screening is not recommended unless he is at high risk, such as having a family history of prostate cancer, and even then, the decision should be made after a thorough discussion of the benefits and harms 1.
From the Research
Health Maintenance for a 45-year-old Man
To maintain health, a 45-year-old man should consider the following:
- Vaccinations:
- Monitoring of inflammatory markers and lipid profile:
- Influenza vaccination can cause transient changes in select markers of inflammation and lipids 2
- Other considerations:
- Healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, are also important for maintaining overall health
Vaccination Schedule
The vaccination schedule for a 45-year-old man may include:
- Tdap vaccine: can be co-administered with influenza vaccine 3, 4, 5
- Influenza vaccine: annual vaccination is recommended 2 Note: The specific vaccination schedule may vary depending on individual circumstances and should be determined in consultation with a healthcare professional.
Safety and Immunogenicity
The safety and immunogenicity of vaccinations have been studied in adults:
- Tdap vaccine: shown to be immunogenic in adults, with a safety profile comparable to US-licensed Td vaccine 4
- Influenza vaccine: causes transient changes in select markers of inflammation and lipids, but is generally well-tolerated 2
- Co-administration of Tdap and influenza vaccines: has been shown to be safe and immunogenic 3, 4, 5