Health screenings for men age 65 and older
You should visit your health care provider regularly, even if you feel healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Screen for medical issues
- Assess your risk for future medical problems
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Update vaccinations and other preventive care services
- Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness
Information
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHigh cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThere are specific times when you should see your provider or receive specific health screenings. The US Preventive Services Task Force publishes a list of recommended screenings. Below are screening guidelines for men age 65 and older.
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING
- If you are age 65 to 75 and have smoked, you should have an ultrasound to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms
The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when an area of t...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Other men should discuss this screening with their provider.
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
Have your blood pressure checked at least once every year. Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. You can also check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. You can measure your blood pr...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAsk your provider if you need your blood pressure checked more often if
- You have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or are overweight or have certain other conditions
Heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called co...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleKidney problems
Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You have a first degree relative with high blood pressure
- You are Black
- Your blood pressure top number is from 120 to 129 mm Hg, or the bottom number is from 70 to 79 mm Hg
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
If your cholesterol level is normal, your cholesterol should be checked every 5 years.
You should have repeat testing sooner if:
- Changes occur in your lifestyle (including weight gain and diet)
- You have high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other health conditions
COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
Until age 75, you should have screening for colorectal cancer on a regular basis. If you are age 76 or older, you should ask your provider if you need to be screened. Several tests are available for colorectal cancer screening:
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). It is also sometimes simply called colon ca...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleColorectal cancer screening
Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers in the large intestine. This type of screening can find problems that can be treated befo...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- A stool-based fecal occult blood (gFOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
FIT
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used as a screening test for colon cancer. It tests for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - A stool sDNA-FIT test every 1 to 3 years.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or every 10 years with stool testing with FIT every year
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
Virtual colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy (VC) is an imaging or x-ray test that looks for cancer, polyps, or other disease in the large intestine (colon). The medical nam...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Colonoscopy every 10 years
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...
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You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colorectal cancer, such as:
- Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - A personal or family history of cancer of the colon or rectum
- A history of growths in your colon called adenomatous polyps
Adenomatous polyps
A colorectal polyp is a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum.
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DENTAL EXAM
- Go to the dentist once or twice every year for an exam and cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate if you have a need for more frequent visits.
DIABETES SCREENING
You should be screened every 3 years.
You may be tested more often if you have other risk factors for diabetes, such as:
- A first-degree relative with diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You are overweight or have obesity, high blood pressure, prediabetes, or a history of heart disease
EYE EXAM
- Have an eye exam every 1 to 2 years.
- Have an eye exam that includes an examination of your retina (back of your eye) at least every year if you have diabetes.
HEARING TEST
- Have your hearing tested if you have symptoms of hearing loss.
Hearing loss
Hearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.
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IMMUNIZATIONS
Commonly needed vaccines include:
- Flu shot: get one every year
- COVID-19 vaccine: ask you provider what is best for you
- Pneumococcal vaccine: you should receive this vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/v...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine at or after age 50
- Tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: have as one of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines if you did not receive it as an adolescent
- Tetanus-diphtheria: have a booster (or Tdap) every 10 years
INFECTIOUS DISEASE SCREENING
Screening for hepatitis C:
- All adults ages 18 to 79 should get a one-time test for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver. Other types of viral hepatitis include:Hepatitis AHepatitis BHepat...
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Screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): all people ages 15 to 65 should get a one-time test.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDepending on your lifestyle and medical history, you may need to be screened for infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and other infections.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
You should have an annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) if:
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- You are age 50 to 80 years AND
- You have a 20 pack-year smoking history AND
- You currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING
- If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should discuss screening with your provider.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Risk factors can include long-term steroid use, low body weight, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having a fracture after age 50, or a family history of hip fracture or osteoporosis.
PHYSICAL EXAMS
All adults should visit their provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
- Screen for diseases
- Assess risk of future medical problems
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Update vaccinations and other preventive care services
- Maintain a relationship with a provider in case of an illness
In addition:
- Your blood pressure should be checked at least every year.
- Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at every exam.
Body mass index (BMI)
A good way to decide if your weight is healthy for your height is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). You and your health care provider can us...
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During your exam, your provider may ask you about:
- Depression and anxiety
- Diet and exercise, including exercises to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falling
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Safety, such as use of seat belts and smoke detectors
- Whether you have had any falls or are afraid of falling
- Your medicines and risk for interactions
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
If you're 55 through 69 years old, before having the test, talk to your provider about the pros and cons of having a PSA test. Ask about:
PSA test
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate cells. The PSA test is done to help screen for and monitor prostate cancer in men....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- Whether screening decreases your chance of dying from prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped structure that makes up part of a man's reproduc...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Whether there is any harm from prostate cancer screening, such as side effects from testing or overtreatment of cancer when discovered.
- Whether you have a higher risk of prostate cancer than others.
For men 70 or older, most recommendations are against screening.
If you choose to be tested, the PSA blood test is repeated over time (yearly or less often), though the best frequency is not known.
- Prostate examinations are no longer routinely done on men with no symptoms.
SKIN EXAM
- Your provider may check your skin for signs of skin cancer, especially if you're at high risk.
Skin cancer
Squamous cell skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States. Other common types of skin cancer are:Basal cell cancerMelan...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - People at high risk include those who have had skin cancer before, have close relatives with skin cancer, or have a weakened immune system.
TESTICULAR EXAM
- The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends against performing testicular self-exams. Doing testicular self-exams has been shown to have little to no benefit.
Reviewed By
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 04/18/2023. Internal review and update on 08/01/23. Editorial update 07/03/2024.
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