Know it. Get it Done: 6 Health Screenings Every Man Needs

Posted June 18, 2025

You’ve probably heard about the modern classic: “Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.” This well-known book highlights the differences between men and women in communication, behavior and emotions. But there’s another key difference worth noting: their approach to healthcare.

Compared to women, men are less likely to seek medical attention when something seems wrong and less inclined to have preventive screenings and regular health checkups with their doctor, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The reality is, men tend to have shorter lifespans than women. Some of the most serious health issues impacting men today include heart disease, various cancers like prostate and colon, lung disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

That’s why it’s critical that men of all ages recognize potential health risks and start taking precautions early on. Regular health and cancer screenings are important for detecting health conditions earlier when treatments are more effective. 

Men can’t change their genetics, but they can take control of their health—making proactive choices that support long-term wellness, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and lead to a longer, healthier life.

Summa Health sheds light on six healthcare screenings every man should have to be proactive in their health and slow down aging. The good news? Many health risks men face today are preventable and treatable when caught early. 

6 health screenings for men

These are general guidelines for men. Recommended screenings depend on your age and risk factors. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are right for you and how often you need them.

Blood pressure

Starting at age 20, men should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years if their reading is in the normal range (top number less than 120 mm Hg and bottom number less than 80 mm Hg) and have no risk factors. 

If your numbers are elevated, or you have an increased risk, such as family history, diabetes or being overweight, talk to your doctor about how often you should get screened.

Regular screenings can help identify abnormal readings and enable timely intervention to reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure can be silent until it’s severe, and it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol

Men also should have their first cholesterol screening check by age 20 and at least every five years thereafter, depending on the results. Your doctor may recommend a cholesterol screening earlier or more often if you have risk factors (poor diet, smoking or sedentary lifestyle) or have diabetes, heart disease or kidney problems. 

This simple fasting blood test checks your levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides to determine whether you face an increased risk of heart disease. Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can pose serious risks to your heart and lead to a heart attack and stroke. And in the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death in men. 

Diabetes

If you’re older than 45—or have a body mass index above 25 at any age—the American Diabetes Association recommends getting screened for diabetes. A blood glucose test measures your blood sugar levels, indicating whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. Frequency depends on your test results and risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Type 2 diabetes affects millions of men in this country, and many more have prediabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve and kidney damage, among other serious complications. Even mild blood sugar elevations can damage your organs. 

Thankfully, when caught early, type 2 diabetes can be very manageable. 

Colorectal cancer

Men should have regular colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45, or earlier if at greater risk. A colonoscopy is a routine colorectal cancer test that can detect cancer and even prevent it by identifying pre-cancerous polyps and removing them. There are other noninvasive colorectal screening options available that you can discuss with your doctor if you’re at average risk. 

Colorectal cancer, like many cancers, can be found early with testing before it has a chance to grow and spread. Studies have proven that catching it early improves patient outcomes. In fact, the survival rate is 91 percent when colorectal cancer is found in the early stages, compared to only 14 percent when colorectal cancer found in later stages, according to the American Cancer Society.

Prostate cancer

Starting at age 50, men should have a prostate cancer test. How often depends on their risk factors like obesity, family history and higher levels of testosterone. 

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is a blood test used to check for prostate cancer. While prostate cancer is one of multiple things that can cause an elevated PSA, regular PSA testing has been shown to detect prostate cancer early and improve survival in certain men, as early-stage prostate cancer may not cause any symptoms. 

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men. While prostate cancer is common, the good news is that it’s highly curable when diagnosed early. In fact, the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer that’s confined entirely to the prostate gland is nearly 100 percent.

Lung cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a low-dose CT scan annually for men between the ages of 50 and 80 who have smoked at least 20 pack years, who currently smoke or who have quit in the last 15 years. A pack year is the equivalent of smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for one year.

The test, which takes less than 10 seconds and produces a 3D image of the lungs, is one of the most effective ways to detect early-stage lung cancer for high-risk patients.

As with other cancers, early detection improves patient outcomes. The five-year survival rate is 56 percent when found in the early stages, compared to only 5 percent for advanced-stage lung cancer, according to the American Lung Association.

Do I need health screenings even if I’m healthy?

Absolutely. Even if you feel healthy, regular health screenings are important to avoid problems in the future.

Preventive healthcare screenings are tests and assessments that evaluate your overall health and detect diseases and chronic conditions before symptoms manifest. For example, you could have high blood sugar and cholesterol, but screening is the only way to check because these conditions may not have symptoms in the early stages. 

In addition, a screening can help your doctor understand your normal baseline and determine if you are at high risk for a possible concern. For example, suppose your blood pressure or cholesterol is on the high end of the acceptable range or has changed unexpectedly. In that case, your doctor may ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment sooner or encourage you to monitor your blood pressure at home. Your provider can also make recommendations to lower your risk for serious complications. 

How to get screened

Are you due for a health screening? Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP can get you up to date on preventive services like routine cancer screenings, establish baseline heart health and other measures, and review your family history to assess and monitor risk factors. If there’s concern, they can guide you in reducing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. 

Many health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, are performed during routine checkups. Other tests are scheduled separately.

So, do yourself — and your family — a favor by safeguarding your health with regular checkups and screenings. Take time today to schedule an appointment. 

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