1. Analysis for PSA – prostate specific antigen
This test can rule out or suspect prostate cancer. If the PSA level in the blood is elevated, then this is not necessarily associated with cancer. It can also be inflammatory diseases of the genital organs or benign prostate adenoma. But in cases of deviation of the indicator from the norm, it is imperative to visit a urologist.
PSA testing is recommended once a year for all men over the age of 50, and if the family has already had cases of prostate cancer – from the age of 45.
2. Testicular examination (examination of the testicles)
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men under 35. A testicular examination detects a testicular tumor at the very onset of the disease, when symptoms are still absent. It is advisable to perform such a survey annually for boys and men aged 15–40 years.
3. Research for the prevention of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer usually begins to develop after 45 years and progresses rather slowly, so visible symptoms are detected only 10-15 years after the onset of the disease, when treatment is often ineffective. Therefore, preventive examinations should begin at the age of 45-50 years. These include:
fecal occult blood test – annually;
a blood test for tumor markers – once every 2 years;
colonoscopy – once every 10 years.
If there is a hereditary predisposition, then it is necessary to be examined more often, and start at an earlier age.
4. Blood pressure control
Constant high blood pressure – hypertension – is a very insidious ailment. It may practically not be felt or assert itself as a headache, weakness, which is often attributed to overwork and no measures are taken. And the result can be myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis.
Risk factors for hypertension – unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, stress. All this is in abundance in modern men, so the risk of developing hypertension in them is quite high, and already from the age of 40.
Doctors recommend that men control their blood pressure on a monthly basis starting from the age of 40, even if they feel completely healthy.
5. Examination of the eyes
After 40 years, a man is recommended to go to an ophthalmologist and undergo a complete visual examination: check visual acuity, measure intraocular pressure, determine the state of all structures of the eye. Such an examination is necessary, even if nothing bothers you from the side of your eyes. If all is well with vision, in the future it is necessary to check the eyes once every 2-4 years.
6. Analyzes for cholesterol and sugar
After 30-35 years, it is necessary to donate blood every 5 years to determine the level of cholesterol. This is especially important for men, since, unlike women, they are more frivolous about their health, are addicted to heavy fatty foods, and do not like vegetables and fruits too much. And malnutrition is one of the main risk factors for hypercholesterolomia, which threatens atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
A very important indicator is the level of glucose in the blood. It helps to identify such a serious pathology as diabetes mellitus, which has been going on for a long time without any symptoms. Diabetes mellitus – a violation of carbohydrate metabolism – is dangerous for its complications: renal failure, loss of vision, gangrene. With regular blood sugar tests, you can determine if you have prediabetes and can stop the disease from progressing through diet and physical activity.
Doctors recommend donating blood for sugar up to 40 years of age once every 5 years, after 40 years – once 3 years. With a hereditary predisposition, overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, this should be done more often – once every 1-2 years.
7. Cardiogram
ECG is a very simple, affordable and harmless study of the heart muscle. Due to the fact that today cardiovascular diseases have become younger, after 40 years, it is recommended to conduct an ECG annually. With heart problems, as well as at a more mature age, this study should be done more often, once every 3 months.
8. Preventive medical examination
Regular preventive visits to your therapist or family doctor should not be neglected. Usually, at such an appointment, the doctor asks and examines the patient, listens to the heart, measures the pressure. If necessary, he can write a referral for additional examinations or for a consultation with a specialist. Sometimes, during such examinations, diseases are found that the patient did not even suspect.
There is no consensus on how often it is necessary to undergo a preventive examination, but over the years this should be done more often.
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