Men’s health tests should be a priority as it helps in the early detection of any risk of facing any disease further on. It would help if you visited the doctor’s office every few days to get yourself tested; these tests would include examinations, advice, and support regarding improving your health. Routine men’s health tests help identify any underlying conditions a patient might have; even with a healthy exterior, you can’t be sure about being healthy internally.
Here are a few of the most influential men’s health tests your physician may advise you to get done:
- Hepatitis C development: People born between 1945 and 1965 are advised to get this one-time test done; your physician might also advise you to get tested if you ever injected drugs or experienced a blood transfusion before 1992. HCV (hepatitis C virus) might be the leading cause of chronic liver disease, possible liver cancer, liver transplant, or worse, death. Symptoms of HCV may occur after 20 to 30 years of getting the infection.
- Blood pressure: It is recommended to get your BP checked every two years if expected; on the other hand, you should get it checked more often if you take any BP medicines.
- Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer should be tested in men aged 45 to 75. A Colorectal cancer test is done through a colonoscopy which examines abnormal growths called polyps in your large intestine.
- Depression: If you ever feel like you don’t enjoy life like you used to, for instance, you feel sad, like you want to cry, you feel hopeless, and your interest in your usual social activities is deteriorating, you might want to get screened for depression.
- Diabetes: In case of excess weight, heart issues, and blood pressure problems, it’s suggested that you get tested for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes tests involve one or more blood sugar tests, and your doctor might be able to guide you better regarding this.
- Cholesterol: Elevations in lousy cholesterol or a certain amount of reduction in bad cholesterol may increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A damaged abdominal aorta may cause internal bleeding; its test is relatively easy, doesn’t cause much pain, and eventually might save your life.
- HIV/AIDS: HIV is still a threat even after its urgency is called off. Everyone between the age of 15 to 65 should get tested for the potential health threat of AIDS/HIV. HIV can be diagnosed easily through a blood test.
- Lung Cancer: This is for all the smokers out there. All men aged 50 to 80 years who have at least 20 packs a year of smoking history should get screened for lung cancers.
- Obesity: This epidemic can cause many dangerous diseases like heart, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint issues, or cancer.
- Testicular Cancer: Most testicular cancer patients range between the age of 20 to 40. It is, however, advised to avoid screening men without any prominent symptoms.
- Skin Cancer: Skin cancer screening options are a bit conflicted as it can’t be decided if visualized tests are good or bad for the skin. However, from 2022, it’s recommended to get tested for skin cancer every six months if there’s a family history regarding it.
Conclusion
Since you never know what’s growing within your body internally, keeping yourself posted by keeping up with the tests mentioned above is best.