uide To Health

Men have a well-earned reputation for tuning up their car more frequently than their bodies. But regular check-ups and screenings at the appropriate age can help prevent equipment deterioration and malfunction. Though guidelines vary depending on the source, here’s when to get your jalopy into the doctor’s office.

Ages 18 to 39

Physical: Every three years.

Blood pressure: Annually.

Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years.

Blood tests and urinalysis: Every three years (testing for cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).

Electrocardiogram (ECG): At age 30.

Tetanus booster: Every 10 years.

Rectal exam: Annually.

Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month.

Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam beginning at age 20; then see a doctor every three years.

Oral health: One to two dental exams a year.

Hearing test: Beginning at age 18; then every 10 years.

Eye exam: When experiencing problems or visual changes.

Ages 40 to 49

Physical: Every two years.

Blood pressure: Every year.

Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years.

Blood tests and urinalysis: Every two years (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Every four years. Rectal exam: Annually.

Prostate exam: PSA blood test starting at age 45 if you’re African-American or a father or brother was diagnosed before age 65, according to the American Cancer Society. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40.

Testicular self-exam: Every month.

Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year.

Oral health: Sec the dentist once or twice a year.

Hearing test: Every 10 years.

Eye exam: Every two to four years.

Ages 50 to 64

Physical: Annually.

Blood pressure: Annually.

Tuberculosis skin test: Annually.

Blood tests and urinalysis: Annually (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction).

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Every three years.

Rectal exam: Annually.

Tetanus booster: Every 10 years.

Prostate exam: Annually (PSA blood test and digital rectal examination, according to the American Cancer Society. The American Academy of Family Physicians disagrees).

Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month.

Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year.

Oral health: Sec the dentist once or twice a year.

Bone health: Screening at age 60.

Hearing test: Every three years.

Eye exam: Every two to four years.

Colon and rectal exams: Starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society (and AAFP) suggests following one of five schedules: Yearly faecal occult blood test (FOBT) or faecal immunochemical test (FIT); flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; double-contrast barium enema every five years; colonoscopy every 10 years. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy.

Age 65 and Older

Eye exam: Every one to two years.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: One-time screening for men who have smoked.

Hearing: Every three years.

To learn what to look for when conducting self-examinations, check with your doctor.