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Regular health checkups are a crucial tool in detecting and preventing potential issues before they become serious, regardless of your age.
Dr. Sagi Jacob Cohen and Dr. Nathan Alyesh are primary care specialists at Calabasas Medicine Group in Calabasas, California. Here, they explore how men's health exams change with age, offering insights into the screenings and tests that become more relevant at different stages of life.
Establishing a baseline
Our Calabasas team customizes preventive men’s health strategies based on your current health status and other factors, such as family history. Thus, the timing for recommended screening labs or other monitoring measures can vary.
For instance, we may suggest frequent blood pressure checks if you have a significant family history of hypertension or a personal history of borderline high blood pressure readings.
Otherwise, we generally recommend that men establish a health baseline in early adulthood (20s and 30s). Annual checkups should include blood pressure measurements, cholesterol checks, and body mass index (BMI) assessments.
Start diabetes screenings by 35 — or sooner if you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or are otherwise at risk for developing it. Additionally, sexually active men should discuss safe practices and undergo screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Our Calabasas Medicine team works with you to develop lifelong habits that can protect your health. For instance, starting heart-healthy nutrition, routine exercise, and effective stress management in your 20s can reduce your risk or even prevent heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases as you age.
Journeying into your 40s and 50s
As men enter their 40s and 50s, focus shifts to age-related issues like prostate health. Prostate cancer becomes more prevalent with age, and we recommend regular screenings, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE).
It's also an ideal time to assess your heart health more comprehensively with stress testing, cholesterol checks, and blood pressure monitoring.
Schedule comprehensive eye exams every two to four years in your 40s, or more frequently if you’re at risk for issues such as glaucoma. Dental exams and cleanings are also an essential component of preventive health screenings.
Colorectal cancer becomes more common over 50. Consider scheduling a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer by age 45. Regular skin checks to detect any signs of skin cancer are also important.
Your 60s and beyond
As men enter their 60s and beyond, bone health becomes critical to overall well-being. Bone density scans assess your risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Your health care team may also incorporate cognitive health screenings, including memory tests, into routine exams. Regular eye and ear checkups become more critical to address age-related changes in vision and hearing.
Most importantly, men's health exams are not one-size-fits-all; they evolve with age to address your changing needs and risks. Regular checkups with a primary care physician provide an opportunity to catch potential health issues early, enabling proactive measures to maintain a high quality of life.
It’s never too early or too late to prioritize your health. Schedule a visit at Calabasas Medicine Group today to discover more about our concierge services with a focus on overall well-being and longevity.