Preventive checkups for men

Despite universal media access and numerous health-promoting preventive screening campaigns, it turns out that many men continue to avoid visiting a specialist, resigning themselves to a doctor’s office only when pain becomes unbearable, or a medical condition makes it handling daily life difficult. This is a thing worth changing – seeing a specialist on a […]

Despite universal media access and numerous health-promoting preventive screening campaigns, it turns out that many men continue to avoid visiting a specialist, resigning themselves to a doctor’s office only when pain becomes unbearable, or a medical condition makes it handling daily life difficult. This is a thing worth changing – seeing a specialist on a regular basis and undergoing preventive checkups […]

Despite universal media access and numerous health-promoting preventive screening campaigns, it turns out that many men continue to avoid visiting a specialist, resigning themselves to a doctor’s office only when pain becomes unbearable, or a medical condition makes it handling daily life difficult. This is a thing worth changing – seeing a specialist on a regular basis and undergoing preventive checkups allows early detection of a potential disease and swift introduction of efficient treatment. Why do men avoid physicians? What tests should they undergo once they turn thirty, forty, and fifty? We invited Piotr Kryst MD, urologist and Zdrowa ONA programme expert, to join us in answering these and other questions.

Many men continue believing that diseases can affect everyone but them; they further think that there is no need to undergo any screening tests if they feel alright. Anyone who thinks it true is making a serious mistake, as many diseases are symptom-free in their early stages; usually, the later one is diagnosed the more difficult the cure. While this is true for both genders, there are obvious conditions affecting gentlemen only, such as prostatic hyperplasia or testicular cancer. Gentlemen may find some tests uncomfortable or awkward, yet they should be aware of the need to undergo medical checkups and talk to their physicians openly about conditions they might be suffering of, says Doctor Kryst.

What medical checkups should every man attend or undergo?

When over thirty:

  • testicular self-exam (annually)
  • blood count test (every two years)
  • arterial blood pressure test
  • cholesterol level test (every 2-3 years)
  • blood sugar level test (annually)

When over forty:

  • blood count test (annually)
  • arterial blood pressure test
  • cholesterol level test (every 2 years)
  • blood sugar level test (annually)
  • EKG (every 2-3 years)
  • digital rectal exam for prostate cancer screening (annually)
  • PSA level test (annually, in case of family history of prostate cancer)
  • chest (lung) X-ray (every 2 years)
  • urine test (annually)
  • eyesight exam (annually)
  • hearing test (every 2-3 years)

When over fifty:

  • blood count test (annually)
  • arterial blood pressure test (monthly)
  • cholesterol level test (annually)
  • blood sugar level test (annually)
  • EKG (annually)
  • digital rectal exam for prostate cancer screening and PSA level test (annually)
  • chest X-ray (annually)
  • urine test (annually)
  • eyesight exam (annually)
  • hearing test (every 2 years)
  • colonoscopy (every 5 years)
  • bone mineral density test (every 2 years)
  • thyroid hormone test (every 1-2 years)
  • electrolyte level test (every 2-3 years)

Visiting a urologist – is this necessary?

Men find urological issues a particularly awkward topic – no wonder they tend to avoid tests and talking to physicians. This has been confirmed in a report drafted as part of the Research and Education Programme on the Prevention and Knowledge of Non-Neurological Lower Urinary Tract and Overactive Bladder Symptoms – only 29% of men visit a urologist’s office as part of a healthcare programme, with preventive checkups as the chief motive. The vast majority of respondents would see a specialist only once unpleasant symptoms appear (43%), or from fear of prostatic cancer (29%).

All men over 45 or 50 should undergo preventive checkups, obviously if not having previously noticed any worrying symptoms – the risk of contracting a urological disease rises with age. Benign prostatic hyperplasia and the overactive bladder syndrome are relatively frequent. Diurnal and/or nocturnal pollakiuria, difficulty to start the urine flow, haematuria, or a sensation of partial bladder emptying should all be particular reasons for concern. Untreated and undiagnosed symptoms may lead to serious complications, such as cystolithiasis, urinary tract infections, or even renal failure. Remember: preventive checkups allow the introduction of early and efficient pharmacological treatment, and – in some cases – postponement of surgical intervention. It is not worth your while to avoid a physician: the quicker a disease is diagnosed the better the chances for an effective cure, says Doctor Piotr Kryst.

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