Men: Make a Commitment to Good Health
Men are at a high risk for many serious health problems, like heart disease and lung cancer. Men also face health problems that don't affect women, like prostate cancer.
Make a promise to yourself to know what diseases and illnesses may pose a risk to you. Then, commit to leading a more active and healthy life.
Ready to put your health first? Here are some important preventive care screenings you need to achieve your best health.
Annual Wellness Visit
Seeing a primary doctor regularly is the best way to identify what diseases and illnesses may pose a risk to you. It can also help catch health problems early, when they are easier to treat. Even if you feel fine, you should still get an annual wellness exam to make sure you're in good health.
During your annual wellness visit, your doctor may check your:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Heart rate
- Respiration rate
- Temperature
- Weight and body mass index (BMI)
Your doctor will also recommend any screenings or vaccines you may need, like an updated tetanus or flu shot or the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Plus, you can talk to your doctor about any other health concerns or symptoms you may have, and about any prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements you are taking.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. This disease causes abnormal growths, called polyps, to form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer. That's why screening is important to detect this type of cancer early.
Who should get screened?
- If you are age 45 to 75, you should get screened for colorectal cancer.
- If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, you may need to begin screening earlier.
- If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.
Colorectal cancer screening tests
There are a few screening choices available for colorectal cancer screening.
| Screening Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
Stool Sample (gFOBT, FIT, Stool DNA test) |
Every 1-3 years |
Visual exams like colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography |
Every 5-10 years |
Talk to your doctor about which colorectal screening is right for you. No matter which test you choose, the most important thing is to get screened.
Prostate Cancer Screening
About one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a gland found only in males.
Most cases of prostate cancer affect men over age 66, but the risk increases with age. The risk is even higher in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry.
Prostate cancer screening includes two tests — a physical exam of the prostate, also called a digital rectal exam, and a blood test that checks for the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein made by cells in the prostate gland.
Talk to your doctor today to see if you need a prostate cancer screening based on your age, race, family history and more.
Your annual wellness exam and most preventive health screenings are covered at no additional cost to you when you see an in-network doctor. Download our helpful list of questions to ask your doctor before your next appointment.
