Taking specific screening tests at the right time is one of the most important things a man can do for his health. Screenings can detect several diseases such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes before any symptom can manifest.  Should these tests reveal a health condition, then early intervention can be made to address the problem.

1. Screening Test for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is most prevalent among American men.  Although commonly known as a slow-growing type of cancer, there are aggressive and fast-growing forms of prostate cancer as well.  Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test helps diagnose prostate cancer – and is definitely a good idea.  Screening for prostate cancer aids in identifying the cancer in its early stages, when treatment is much more potent.  A negative PSA test, along with a normal digital rectal exam (DRE) can assure you that it’s highly improbable that you have prostate cancer.  However, taking a PSA test for this type of cancer may not be required for some men, specifically men from ages 75 and up.

The American Cancer Society counsels men to discuss with their doctors about the drawbacks and benefits of taking a PSA screening test.  For men who have an average-risk of acquiring prostate cancer you should talk with your doctor when you reach the age of 50.  For men who have a high risk of acquiring prostate cancer, especially among African-American men, you should have a talk with your doctor by the time that you reach the age of 45.  While for men who have a strong familial or genetic history of prostate cancer, 40 is the best age to talk with your doctor.

The American Urological Association highly recommends getting your first PSA test by the age 40 and additional follow up if it’s ordered by your doctor.

2. Testicular Self-Examination

Testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer that targets the testes. Several cases occur between men ages 20 to 54 years old.  The testicles (testes) are man’s reproductive organs, responsible for manufacturing sperm, and are one of the most sensitive parts of the man’s anatomy. It is not that surprising, therefore, when only a few men have the inclination to explore and discover the wonders of the testicles.  Sad to say, a lot of men are ambiguous of the prevalence of testicular cancer and other worries that begins from their scrotum – health threats that are highly curable if detected at an early stage.  Men should be able to perform a correct Testicular Self-Examination (TSE), because the simple self-administered test can actually save life.

For men, the Testicular Self-Examination (TSE) is a risk-free and pain-free test to examine your testicles for probable cancers and unwanted problems.  Testicular cancer has no observable pain or symptoms. That’s why TSE is your best friend, and it is your first line of defense against testicular cancer. A monthly TSE is the best way to find out the condition of your testicles. However, TSE is not a substitute for a professional or clinical examination.  You should still see your doctor, and his diagnosis is much more credible than yours.  The main goal of TSE is to help you distinguish any unusual signs.  Several testicular tumors, otherwise known as the viscous seminomas, occur in the cells that are responsible for producing sperm.  These tumors are quick-growing and if left untreated, a seminoma could multiply its size in a month. So time is of the essence.

Easy Steps for Testicular Self-Examination

1.  Prepare a warm bath to help you, and your testicles, relax. You can also opt for a hot shower.  Warm water relaxes the structure of your scrotum.

2.  Get acquainted with your body.  You’re born with it, so no one knows your testes more than you do.  Maybe the other one is a bit larger or hangs a bit lower – don’t worry this is normal.  Take note of the shape, the weight and color of your testicles.  If you observe any changes then you should report your findings to your doctor.  Scrotal discoloration is not really a sign for testicular cancer but it may be another symptom of another condition and once again, it is best to mention this to your doctor.

3. If you’re using the tub then you don’t have to worry about your balance, if you’re taking the shower grab something to hold on to.  Situate your right leg on a higher surface, like your toilet bowl, so that you’ll have a clearer and easier access to your scrotum.  Keep in mind that the surface must be dry, to avoid the dangers of slipping.

4. Here’s the best part.  If you’re right-handed, position your left hand exactly below your right testes, gently supporting it.  Then, using your right hand, softly roll your right testicle between your thumb and index finger and feel for anything out of the ordinary.  The testicles should feel firm and smooth, not hard.  The presence of lumps and bumps are not supposed to be there.  Do the procedure once again for your left testicle, this time while elevating the left leg.

If you feel any hard lumps, general discomfort or tenderness, hardness in your testicles and penile discharge (non-ejaculatory) then you should immediately see your physician.

The steps mentioned above are general directions to do a TSE and is recommended by physicians and the National Cancer Institute.

3. Screening Test for Hypertension

As you age, the risk of high blood pressure increases. It is also related with your lifestyle and weight.  High blood pressure can cause other serious complications without previous symptoms, and this includes aneurysm – a dangerous condition which can lead to death.

Know your blood pressure. There are two significant numbers to take note of during blood pressure readings.  The first one is called the systolic pressure – pressure in the arteries which is caused when your heart beats. The second is called diastolic pressure – this is the pressure in between beats.  A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher may signify hypertension.  This means that you should consult with your physician in order to prevent the development of the condition.

4. Lipid profile tests

An elevated LDL cholesterol level in your blood can cause plaque build-up in your arterial walls and can significantly increase your risk of Atherosclerosis.  The condition is caused by the narrowing and hardening of the arteries and can develop without any symptoms until it is too late, which can cause stroke and heart attack.

Lipid tests are standard tests done on plasma – the liquid component of blood that contains no blood cells.  Lipids are organic compounds, characterized as greasy and insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol.  Lipid tests measures the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides.  Your results will tell your doctor several data on what you need to do to reduce the probability of stroke, heart disease and diabetes. For men that are 20 years old and above, it is advisable that you should take a routine lipid test every five years. While for men around the age of 35, a regular cholesterol test is required.

5. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

At least 1 out of 3 Americans have diabetes and they don’t even know it.  Diabetes, if not controlled, can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, and even impotence.  Early diagnosis of diabetes can prevent all these conditions from happening and it can be controlled by weight loss, healthy diet, exercises and lifestyle modification.

Urine analysis may be done to detect glucose and ketones, but a urine test is not a viable diagnosis for diabetes.

Viable tests to diagnose diabetes:

1.  Fasting blood glucose level --- if your test results show 126 mg/dL or higher on two consecutive occasions then your chances of having diabetes is high.  If it reads within 100 to 126 mg/dL, then you may have pre-diabetes or impaired fasting glucose.

2. Oral glucose tolerance test --- this test, is commonly used to diagnose type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is identified if glucose levels are 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours.

3.  Hemoglobin A1C test --- this is used to aid patients to monitor how well they can control their glucose levels.  The American Diabetes Association advocated this test to be used as an additional option for identifying diabetes and pre-diabetes in 2010. Normal levels are less than 5.7%, pre-diabetes is within 5.7% to 6.4%, while a 6.5% or higher levels indicate diabetes.

4.  Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level --- if levels are higher than 200 mg/dL diabetes is highly suspected, especially if it comes along with the classic signs and symptoms of diabetes such as, increased urination, thirst and fatigue. This test must be paired with a fasting blood glucose test.

If you’re 45 years old but a healthy adult, you should at least take the test for three consecutive years.  However, if you have a high risk of acquiring diabetes, you should routinely check your blood glucose levels.

Sources
men.webmd.com
mayoclinic.com
ehow.com
surgeryencyclopedia.com
nlm.nih.gov
avert.org