Men’s health checks worth doing by age

Men tend to present later with symptoms, which makes problems harder to treat. Most of the conditions that shorten men’s lives are detectable long before they cause trouble.

In your twenties and thirties

• Blood pressure at least every couple of years, more often if readings have been high or there is family history
• Testicular awareness: know what is normal for you and get any new lump, swelling or heaviness checked promptly. Testicular cancer is most common in this age group and is usually very treatable.
• Sexual health testing if you have new or multiple partners
• Mental health: persistent low mood, irritability or heavy drinking deserve attention rather than being pushed through
• Dental and eye checks

In your forties

• Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, especially with a family history of diabetes or heart disease
• Weight and waist measurement, which predict risk better than weight alone
• A conversation about prostate health if you have urinary symptoms or a family history
• Review of alcohol and tobacco use

Fifty and beyond

• Continued blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol monitoring
• Prostate discussion: whether testing is right for you depends on your risk, symptoms and preferences, and is a decision to make with a clinician
• Bowel symptoms: any change in bowel habit lasting weeks, or blood in the stool, needs assessment
• Eye checks for glaucoma and cataract, and hearing if you notice difficulty
• Vaccinations as advised

Symptoms never to ignore, at any age

• Chest pain or pressure, particularly with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw — call for emergency help
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, or facial droop — a possible stroke, also an emergency
• Blood in urine or stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• A cough lasting more than two to three weeks
• A sore or lump that does not heal
• Difficulty or pain passing urine, or getting up repeatedly at night to do so

The habits behind most of it

Not smoking, moderate alcohol, regular activity, reasonable weight and sleep account for much of long-term risk. None of that requires perfection, but it does require consistency.

Make it easy to go

If taking time off work is the obstacle, an online consultation can cover the conversation and arrange the tests, so the clinic visit is short and specific.