Testing It Up

We conclude our feature on health tests for men by sharing with you more details on the last set of tests that we mentioned on our list on the first post. One of our readers, who signed his comment as “Natural Prostate Health”, shared his experience with initially fighting off the need to undergo a health test – in his case, the screening for prostate cancer – and ending up being relieved that he decided to take the test, sharing that these tests, indeed are important, and we thank him for supporting our goal to be of help to our readers.

We start off with the test our reader decided to undergo – the prostate cancer screening. This is a rather controversial test, though, as there are ongoing debates regarding the benefits of having prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests as a routine test for men, with arguments indicating that for some people, the risks may far outweigh the benefits. That being said, however, it is still undeniable that the PSA can lead to the early detection of prostate cancer, increasing the probability of beating the disease. Hence, it will be very important for men to discuss risk factors such as family history with their respective doctors so that he and his doctor can make an informed decision regarding the need to undergo the test and when it should be done. The PSA test is more likely beneficial to men between 50 and 70; younger men aged 45 and over may also find the test beneficial if they have risk factors for the disease.

Another form of cancer that men can develop is testicular cancer. As opposed to prostate cancer, which is normally developed by older men, testicular cancer usually affects men in their 20s and 30s. It is a rather rare form of cancer, and is highly curable if detected early. According to the American Cancer Society, men may undergo a testicular exam as part of a routine cancer-detection check up; unlike breast cancer in women, there is no need to regularly perform self-exams.

The last two health tests involve diseases that men and women also have in common: diabetes and skin cancer. Monitoring blood sugar levels, especially for men who are at high risk for developing diabetes is important to ensure that diabetes is detected in a timely manner and treated accordingly. People who should think about this are those with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and those who are overweight.

Lastly, despite the fact that men are least likely to visit a dermatologist than women, they should try to at least undergo a skin exam annually, as a precautionary measure against skin cancer.

Yesterday we shared with you a list of health tests that men should think about undergoing. Today we provide a little bit more information about each test, such as when one ought to think about having them and why.

One of the things that men should monitor is their blood pressure; this is actually true not just for men, but for women as well. The stress of everyday living, as well as the lifestyle that you lead, can affect your blood pressure levels; and high blood pressure, if left unchecked, can have serious consequences to your health. Checking of the blood pressure is part of a routine doctor’s visit; in between visits, one can easily monitor one’s blood pressure levels using a home testing kit, or by getting tested in a drug store.

It will benefit any man over the age of 35 to think about getting their cholesterol checked. For men who are at risk for developing heart disease, such as having a family history of heart ailments and high cholesterol, thinking of getting checked may start in their twenties. The recommended interval, according to a feature on WebMD, is to have one’s levels checked every five years, with the intervals made shorter if one’s levels are borderline high. It is suggested that this practice be done until one reaches the age of 65, after which cholesterol levels are less likely to increase, which means that one can lengthen the intervals between checks.

A colonoscopy is a test that is recommended for both men and women, especially those with a history of colorectal cancer in the family. Colon cancer is a disease that can affect both men and women, and it is a disease where survival relies heavily upon early detection of the disease. It is recommended that men should think about undergoing the test upon reaching the age of 50; the age should be adjusted to an earlier age if one has a history of colorectal polyps or cancer in the family.

We will provide more details about the other tests in succeeding posts.