Men's Health Needs by Decade

Some men associate a doctor's visit with being sick. However, visiting your doctor regularly, even when you feel well, is vital to staying healthy. Appropriate health screenings and tests can detect certain diseases and illnesses in their early stages when treatment can be most effective and successful. Carbon Health providers are here to help you figure out which tests you need, when you need them, and how often you need them.

In Your Teens

Yearly doctor visits are essential for teenage boys to help their doctor establish a baseline for their physical, emotional, and social development.

Immunizations: Ensure all appropriate immunizations have been administered

Sexuality: Start getting informed about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), safe practices, and sexual activity.

In Your 20s and 30s

You may feel invincible in your 20s and 30s and think health tests and screenings are only for older people. Not true! Certain conditions, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, have no symptoms but can slowly cause lasting damage each year, affecting your long-term health. This can only be detected through a test and risk assessments by a provider.

Cholesterol: Every five years if normal

Blood pressure: At least every two years

Testicular exam: Every man should learn how to do a monthly self-exam and get screened annually as part of a general checkup

STI: If sexually active, talk to your physician about screening frequency and preventative practices

HIV: Every sexually active person between 13 and 75 should get tested at least once. Certain higher risk patients may require more frequent screening.

Diabetes: Annually if you have risk factors such as a BMI over 25, high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes

In Your 40s and 50s

Men in their 40s and 50s can be just as healthy and fit as men decades younger if they maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases that are more prevalent among men as they age.

Cholesterol: Every five years if normal

Blood pressure: At least every two years

Testicular exam: Monthly self-exams and annual screenings at general checkups

STI: If sexually active, talk to your physician about screening frequency

HIV: Every person between 13 and 75 should get tested at least once.

Diabetes: If you are overweight, obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about getting screened. 

Prostate cancer screening: Talk to your doctor about your risk profile and when and if to start screening. If you choose to undergo screening, you should get a digital rectal exam and blood test every year.

Colonoscopy: Every ten years, starting at age 50,depending on screening results and risk factors.

Shingles vaccine: Two Shingrix shots after age 50.

Your 60s and Beyond

Continue to see your provider regularly and stay on top of important health screenings and tests.

Cholesterol: Every five years if normal.

Blood pressure: At least every two years.

Testicular exam: Monthly self-exams and annual screenings at general checkups

STI: If sexually active, talk to your physician about screening frequency.

HIV: Every person between 13 and 75 should get tested at least once.

Diabetes: Talk to your physician about screening frequency based on your risk factors. 

Prostate cancer screening: If you choose to undergo screening, you should get a digital rectal exam and blood test every year.

Colonoscopy: Every ten years, depending on screening results and risk factors. More frequently if abnormal. 

Shingles vaccine: Two shots, if you didn't get them in your 50s.

Pneumonia vaccine: Starting at age 65, you should get two pneumonia vaccines, spaced a year apart. 

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