With age, the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and BPH is significantly increased.

Routine screening leads to early detection and management of most of these diseases.

There are several recommended screenings for men ages 40 to 64.

PHYSICAL EXAM

• Your blood pressure should be checked at least once a year.
• Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked during your annual visit or semi annual visit

During your exam, your provider may ask you about:

• Depression
• Diet and exercise
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Safety, such as use of seat belts and smoke detectors

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING: Recommended to be check at least once a year.

Individual with reading of 120 to 139 for systolic reading (top number) and 80 to 90 (Bottom number) should have life style and diet changes with yearly BP screening.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING: Screening is to be done every 5 years.  A more frequent screening is recommended for individuals with other disease state such kidney disease and diabetes.

DIABETES SCREENING: Individuals ages 45 and older are to be screened every 3 years.  Individual with high blood pressure, obesity or other disease state are to be screened yearly

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING: Individuals with a strong family history of colon cancer should get screened before age 50. Screening should be considered for individuals with risk factors such as IBS or polyps.

Several test are available for individual between ages 50 to 75 and includes

• Fecal Occult Blood test (to be done yearly)
• Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT) yearly
• Stool DNA test (yearly)
• Sigmoidoscopy ( every 5 years)

POSTRATE CANCER

Most men age 50 or older should discuss screening  with their provider. African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative younger than age 65 should discuss screening at age 45.