They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—and preventative medicine will always be the most powerful and cost-effective way to stay healthy.
Not including the routine screenings that are done during your annual primary care visit (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, urinalysis, abdominal circumference, physical exam, etc.) or behavior related screenings (STIs, lung cancer), here are the three screenings all men need, and when to get them done:
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- Colorectral cancer screening
Although most people associate colorectal cancer screenings with colonoscopies, there are actually several methods of testing for colorectal cancer. The advantage of the colonoscopy is that it visualizes the entire colon and allows for tissue sampling and removal of polyps.
The American Cancer Society recommends four screening options for low risk men, beginning at age 50, or age 45 for African Americans. Patients can choose between a colonoscopy every 10 years, a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5-10 years, CT colonography every 5 years, or double contrast barium enema every 5 years. The American College of Gastroenterology, however, emphasizes that their preferred screening test for polyps and cancer is a colonscopy.
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- Prostate cancer screening
This screening is usually done for patients without symptoms of prostate cancer, and is composed of a digital rectal exam (DRE) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. During the DRE, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to feel for growths or bumps. The PSA is a blood test that looks for a protein produced by the prostate that may be elevated in cases of cancer.
Previously, PSAs were recommended annually after turning 50, and earlier for African American men and those with a family history of cancer. More recently, however, experts have recognized that the harms of this testing may outweigh its benefits, as the test may deliver false positive results, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety and even more testing. And overtreatment can result in potential harmful side effects and complications.
So the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that doctors discuss with their patients the possible risks and benefits of testing before making any decisions. The discussion should start at age 50 for men of average risk, 45 for men of high risk, and 40 for those of very high risk. Screening should be repeated annually or every 2 years, depending on the results.
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- Penile Cancer Prevention
Though this is a prevention and not a screening, the HPV vaccine is actually not just for women, and it also protects against other forms of cancer including anus, mouth and throat.
While earlier vaccination is ideal (it is recommended after age 11), the vaccine is recommended for women through the age of 26. But this is a vaccine that prevents cancer, so no matter what gender or what age, it might be in your best interest to just get it.
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