Screening tests in men's health check

The article was written by Dr. BS Le Thi Huong - Department of Examination - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Going for the right screening test at the right time is one of the most important things a man can do for his health. Screening finds diseases early, before you have symptoms, when they are easier to treat. The tests you need are based on your age and risk factors. Below are diseases that can be detected through screening tests.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men after skin cancer. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but there are also aggressive, fast-growing prostate cancers.
Screening tests can find disease early, sometimes before symptoms develop, when treatments are most effective.

Prostate cancer screening Screening for healthy men may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and possibly a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The guidelines recommend PSA testing for men to talk to their 50s with a doctor about the possible risks and benefits of PSA testing:
For men at average risk 45 years for men 40 years old high-risk gender for men with a family history of prostate cancer

This uncommon cancer develops in men's testicles, the reproductive gland that produces sperm. Most cases occur between the ages of 20 and 54. It is recommended that all men have their testicles examined when they visit their doctor for a routine checkup. Men who are at higher risk (family history or underdeveloped testicles) should talk to their doctor about additional testing.
Some doctors recommend regular self-exams, gently feeling for a hard lump, smooth bump, or change in the size or shape of the testicle.

After cancer develops, it can invade or spread to other parts of the body. The way to prevent colon cancer is to find and remove polyps before they turn cancerous.

Colon cancer screening Screening begins at age 50 in adults at average risk. The doctor views the entire colon using a flexible tube and a camera. Polyps may be removed at the time of examination. A similar alternative is a flexible sigmoidoscopy that examines only the lower part of the colon.

The deadliest form of skin cancer is melanoma. It starts in specialized cells called melanocytes that give skin color. Older men are twice as likely to develop melanoma as women of the same age.
Men are also 2-3 times more likely to develop non-melanoma basal cell cancer and squamous cell skin cancer than women. Your risk increases with exposure to the sun and/or tanning beds; sunburn accelerates the risk.

Skin cancer screening It is recommended that you do regular skin self-exams to check for any changes in your skin including shape, color and size. Skin exams by a dermatologist or other medical professional should be part of a routine checkup. Skin cancer treatments are more effective and cause fewer complications when caught early.

The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. It is also related to weight and lifestyle. High blood pressure can lead to serious complications without any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm – a dangerous complication of the arteries.
But it can be treated. By doing so, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Bottom line: Know your blood pressure. If it's high, work with your doctor to control it.

High blood pressure screening Blood pressure measurement results for two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.
High blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, and in between those two levels is prehypertension - an important milestone on the road to high blood pressure. How often you should check your blood pressure depends on how high it is and what other risk factors you have.

High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood cause sticky plaques to build up in the artery walls. This increases the risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis - hardening and narrowing of the arteries - can progress without symptoms for many years. Over time, it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes and medication can lower this "bad" cholesterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Determination of cholesterol levels Fasting lipid tests show levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, HDL "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fats). The results tell a lot about what you need to do to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Starting at age 20, men should be screened if they are at high risk for heart disease. Starting at age 35, men need to have their cholesterol checked regularly.

One-third of Americans with diabetes don't know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness due to damage to the blood vessels of the retina, nerve damage and impotence.
Especially when detected early, diabetes can be controlled and complications avoided with diet, exercise, weight loss and medication.

Diabetes screening Fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance test or A1C to screen for diabetes. Healthy adults should get tested every three years, starting at age 45. If you have higher risks, including high cholesterol or blood pressure, you can start getting tested earlier and more often.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is present in the blood and other body secretions of infected people, even when there are no symptoms. It is spread from person to person when these secretions come into contact with the vagina, anal area, mouth, eyes, or cracks in the skin.
There is no cure or vaccine yet. Modern treatments can prevent HIV infection from becoming AIDS, but these drugs can have serious side effects.
Stop the spread of HIV Most people who are newly infected test positive two months after being infected. But up to 5% are still negative after 6 months. Safe sex always using a condom is necessary to avoid getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Drug users should not share needles.

This group of eye diseases gradually damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness - and significant vision loss. Screening tests to look for abnormally high intraocular pressure in the eye, to detect and treat the condition before damage to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma Screening Eye tests for glaucoma are based on age and individual risk:
Under 40 years old: every 2-4 years 40-54 years old: every 1-3 years 55- 64 years old: every 1-2 years 65 years and older: every 6-12 months Talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier, more often if you are in a high-risk group who has a family history have glaucoma, previous eye injury, or use steroid medication.
Standard General Health Checkup Package of Vinmec International General Hospital is completely different from performing a regular health check. The program is scientifically designed and highly practical to approach your entire health condition, and at the same time, early detection, intervention, and timely treatment to minimize complications. of serious illnesses that threaten your life.