Men's Health Month

Recognized every June, Men’s Health Month reminds us of the value of awareness, prevention and education. Some of the most valuable tools available to men as they age are health screenings that can detect issues early.

Advice and information is all around, but let’s let the process begin with us. Our doctors can help us understand which health screenings are specifically indicated for men of our age and risk. Doing some homework about recommendations can prepare us for those conversations.

Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent voluntary panel of experts in primary care, prevention and evidence-based practice, include a roster of screenings that are appropriate for men of any age. They include alcohol use disorder, depression, hypertension, obesity, tobacco use, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and lipid disorder.

Screenings recommended for men of specific ages include a colorectal cancer screening at age 50, lung cancer screening at 55 for current or past smokers, and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening at 65 for men who have ever smoked. Recommendations regarding prostate cancer screenings vary, so doctors can help us understand the benefits of digital rectal exams and prostate-specific antigen tests.

Additional conversations may include diabetes, skin cancer prevention and a diet designed to prevent cardiovascular disease. There is no routine screening test for testicular cancer, but doctors can show us how to properly examine ourselves for suspicious symptoms.

Our doctors also can help us identify which vaccines we may need to re-dose or boost. Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 are top of mind these days, but we should ask about vaccines for pneumonia, Tdap, shingles, meningitis, chicken pox, and Hepatitis A and B.

To find a doctor who is right for you, visit our provider directory or call the Redeemer Health Physician Referral Service at 800-818-4747.

Preventive Screenings Chart