Preventive Health Screenings for Men: What to Check and When
When was the last time you scheduled a checkup, even though you felt perfectly healthy?
For many men, preventive health care can easily fall to the bottom of the priority list. Between work, family responsibilities, and everyday demands, making time for a doctor’s appointment may not seem urgent, especially when nothing feels wrong.
But many serious health conditions can develop without noticeable symptoms. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain cancers may go undetected until they begin causing more significant problems.
That’s why preventive health screenings for men are an important part of maintaining long-term health.
In recognition of “Movember,” the annual movement encouraging conversations about men’s health, Chetan Lamba, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner at Omni Family Health, joined our Healthy Families segment to discuss the screenings men should know about, when to begin conversations about prostate and colorectal cancer screening, and why waiting until you feel sick can put your health at risk.
Watch the Healthy Families interview with Chetan Lamba, FNP-C, about men’s health screenings.
Why Are Preventive Health Screenings Important for Men?
Preventive care is about understanding your health before a problem becomes serious.
Many men spend time caring for their families, supporting loved ones, and managing daily responsibilities while overlooking their own health needs.
A routine preventive visit provides an opportunity to discuss concerns, review family history, evaluate individual risk factors, and determine which health screenings may be appropriate.
The goal is not simply to look for disease. It is to identify potential concerns early, monitor changes over time, and make informed decisions about your health.
Even if you feel healthy, regular visits with an Omni Family Health primary care provider can help you stay informed about your health and recommended screenings.
What Health Screenings Should Men Keep Up With?
There is no single screening schedule that applies to every man. Age, family history, medical conditions, and individual risk factors all influence which tests may be recommended.
However, several important health measurements and screenings are worth discussing with your provider.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure often develops without noticeable symptoms. Over time, uncontrolled blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and other serious conditions.
Regular blood pressure checks can help identify elevated readings before complications develop.
Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Blood sugar testing can help identify prediabetes or diabetes, conditions that may not cause obvious symptoms in their early stages.
Knowing your blood sugar levels can help your provider evaluate your risk and determine whether additional monitoring or treatment is needed.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A cholesterol test provides information about blood fats that your provider can use alongside other factors to assess your heart health.
Cancer Screenings
Prostate and colorectal cancer screenings are also important topics to discuss as men get older.
The recommended starting age and screening method can vary depending on individual risk, making regular conversations with your health care provider especially valuable.
You can learn more about medical and preventive care services at Omni Family Health and schedule a visit to review which screenings may be appropriate for you.
When Should Men Start Prostate Cancer Screening?
Prostate cancer is one of the cancers men should become familiar with as they age.
However, the appropriate time to begin discussing prostate cancer screening depends on individual risk factors, particularly age and family history.
According to the American Cancer Society, men should have an opportunity to make an informed decision about prostate cancer screening with their health care provider at the following ages:
- Age 50: Men at average risk who are expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Age 45: Men at higher risk, including Black men and those with a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
- Age 40: Men at even higher risk, including those with more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age.
These ages refer to when screening discussions should begin, not a requirement that every man automatically undergo testing.
Prostate cancer screening commonly involves a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Screening can offer benefits, but it also has potential limitations and risks, including false-positive results and unnecessary testing or treatment.
Your provider can help you understand those considerations and decide whether screening is appropriate.
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, sharing that information with your health care provider is particularly important.
When Should Men Begin Colorectal Cancer Screening?
For adults at average risk, colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45.
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum, and screening can help identify cancer or precancerous changes before symptoms appear.
There are several screening options available, including stool-based tests that can be completed at home and colonoscopy procedures.
The best option depends on your individual risk factors, medical history, and preferences.
Men with certain family histories, symptoms, or other risk factors may need to begin screening earlier or use a different screening approach.
Your primary care provider can help determine when you should begin and which screening test may be appropriate.
What Is Cologuard and How Does It Work?
Cologuard is a stool-based colorectal cancer screening test that can be completed at home.
The test looks for certain DNA changes and blood in stool that may be associated with colorectal cancer or advanced precancerous growths.
One reason some patients prefer Cologuard is convenience. Unlike a colonoscopy, the test does not require bowel preparation, sedation, or a procedure at a medical facility.
For eligible adults at average risk, Cologuard is generally repeated every three years when the result is negative.
However, a negative result does not guarantee that colorectal cancer is absent.
If a Cologuard test is positive, a follow-up colonoscopy is necessary to determine what caused the abnormal result.
Cologuard is also not appropriate for everyone. People at increased risk for colorectal cancer may need colonoscopy or another screening approach.
What Is the Difference Between Cologuard and a Colonoscopy?
Both tests can play a role in colorectal cancer screening, but they work differently.
Cologuard is a noninvasive stool-based test that looks for signs that may indicate cancer or certain precancerous changes.
A colonoscopy allows a physician to examine the inside of the colon and rectum directly using a small camera.
One important advantage of colonoscopy is that certain polyps can be identified and removed during the procedure. Removing precancerous polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer from developing.
For adults at average risk, a normal screening colonoscopy is typically followed by another screening in 10 years, assuming no other findings or risk factors require earlier follow-up.
The appropriate screening test is not necessarily the same for everyone.
Some patients may prefer the convenience of an at-home test, while others may benefit from a colonoscopy based on their medical history or screening needs.
If you are approaching age 45 or are overdue for colorectal cancer screening, find an Omni Family Health provider to discuss your options.
Why Should Men Get Checked Even When They Feel Healthy?
One of the most important messages from the Healthy Families conversation is that feeling healthy does not always mean there are no underlying concerns.
Some medical conditions develop gradually, without noticeable symptoms.
High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and high blood sugar can all be present before a person realizes something is wrong.
Certain cancers may also develop without obvious symptoms in their early stages.
Waiting until you experience discomfort or illness can mean missing opportunities to identify problems earlier.
Preventive visits allow your provider to review your health history, recommend appropriate screenings, and help you make decisions about maintaining your health.
They also provide an opportunity to ask questions about symptoms, lifestyle habits, medications, and concerns you may have been putting off.
How Can Men Make Preventive Care a Priority?
Taking care of your health does not have to begin with a major lifestyle change.
Sometimes the most important first step is simply scheduling an appointment.
A preventive health visit can help you understand which screenings you are due for and which health measurements deserve attention.
It can also be helpful to prepare a few questions before your appointment.
Consider asking whether your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar should be checked, whether your family history affects your cancer screening recommendations, and when you should schedule your next preventive visit.
If you have not established care with a primary care provider, find an Omni Family Health location near you to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Preventive Health Screenings
Common preventive screenings include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, and age-appropriate cancer screenings. The tests recommended for each person depend on age, family history, medical conditions, and individual risk factors.
The American Cancer Society recommends beginning the discussion at age 50 for men at average risk who are expected to live at least 10 more years. Men at higher risk may need to discuss screening at age 45 or 40. Screening decisions should be made with a health care provider.
Adults at average risk should generally begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. People with certain risk factors or a family history of colorectal cancer may need to begin earlier.
Cologuard can detect many colorectal cancers, but it does not detect every cancer or advanced precancerous polyp. Colonoscopy allows direct examination of the colon and removal of certain polyps. A positive Cologuard result requires a follow-up colonoscopy.
For eligible adults at average risk, Cologuard is generally repeated every three years following a negative result. Your provider can help determine the appropriate screening schedule.
For adults at average risk, a normal screening colonoscopy is generally repeated every 10 years. Individuals with certain findings, symptoms, or risk factors may need more frequent testing.
Many conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and some cancers, may develop without noticeable symptoms. Preventive care can help identify potential concerns and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment is needed.
You can schedule a preventive health visit with a primary care provider at Omni Family Health. Find a provider or find a health center to get started.
Don’t Wait Until You Feel Sick
Men’s health deserves attention throughout the year, not just during “Movember.”
Whether you are approaching the recommended age for cancer screening, managing a chronic condition, or simply overdue for a routine checkup, taking action today can help you make more informed decisions about your health.
You do not need to wait for symptoms to begin a conversation with your provider.
Omni Family Health offers primary and preventive medical care throughout Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties.
Find an Omni Family Health provider or locate a health center near you to schedule your next visit.
You can also call or text 866-707-OMNI (6664).
For more information about prostate cancer screening, colorectal cancer testing, and men’s preventive health, watch the full Healthy Families conversation with Chetan Lamba, FNP-C
External Resources
American Cancer Society: Prostate Cancer Early Detection
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Colorectal Cancer Screening
https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Men’s Health
https://www.cdc.gov/men-health/
American Cancer Society: Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests-used.html