Most men would rather set their shorts on fire or go to five children's parties in a row than go for a colon cancer screening or a prostate check-up.

If minimum hassle is your main objective, going for regular disease screening tests will probably reduce rather than increase your visits to the doctor. Simply ignoring a problem won't make it go away, but it will mean frequent medical attention once the situation has reached crisis proportions.

Advertisement

Some of these deaths can be prevented by common sense and lifestyle changes such as safer sex (HIV/Aids), non-smoking (lung cancer and COPD), adequate treatment and management of asthma (COPD), less drinking and higher vigilance (homicide and road accidents).

There is little doubt that the impact of many diseases affecting men, such as heart disease and cancer, can be lessened by screening tests. In many cases deaths can be prevented by early detection and treatment, and in others screening tests may lead to treatment and a better quality of life.

The screening tests a man needs
So, which screening tests do you need to have done, so you can avoid the most important preventable diseases in a man? This checklist gives you the lowdown:

HIV test (Blood sample)
When? Every six months if you’re practicing unsafe sex.
Why? With a healthy lifestyle, you may live symptom-free for many years. ART may add years and quality to your life.

Blood pressure (No needles)
When? Every 2 years when you are in your twenties and thirties, and once a year if you are in your forties, fifties and sixties.
Why? Almost 90% of people older than 55 will develop high blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not exceed 120/80 mm Hg. People with blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg have twice the risk of heart disease and an increased risk for stroke.

Cholesterol (Blood sample)
When? Every 2 years if there you are in your twenties or thirties and there is a family history of heart disease; If you are in your forties or older: every time you go for a check-up.
Why? High cholesterol levels increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Doctors recommend that all blood lipid levels should be checked and not only cholesterol levels.

Type 2 diabetes (Blood sample)
When? Everybody, no matter their age, should be tested every three years if they are at risk. People who are most at risk include those with a family history of diabetes, people who are overweight, or people who have high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.
Why? If you have Type 2 diabetes, you are at higher risk for heart disease and eye problems.

Prostate (Blood sample for the PSA count, and/or a digital rectum examination.)
When? If you are in your forties, once a once a year if you have a family history of prostate cancer or breast cancer, or if you are black. Once a year if you are 50 years of age or older. One in eight men in this group will develop prostate cancer. Typical signs may include difficulty to pass urine, enlarged lymph glands or blood in the urine.
Why? More SA men are affected by prostate cancer than any other cancer. Early detection increases your chances of survival.

Testicular self-exam (Speaks for itself)
When? Monthly, especially if you have undescended testes, previous history of a testicular tumour, brother or father with testicular tumours or if you are infertile. Look out for a painless lump or swelling of the testis, or a dull ache or heaviness in the scrotum or lower abdomen.
Why? Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in males 15 – 35 years old. Early detection may really save your life. Lance Armstrong is an inspirational example.

Colon check (Preferably a colonoscopy - an internal investigation of the colon with a flexible instrument after sedation.)
When? Every 5 years if you are in your twenties or thirties and there is a family history. Every 3 – 5 years if you are in your forties and there is a family history, otherwise every 5 years. If you are 50 years of age or older, annually. Take note of sudden changes in regular bowel habit, blood in stools; or colic, bloating or fullness.
Why? Colorectal cancer rates as the number five cancer affecting South African men. If detected early, colon cancer is very treatable. Hereditary colorectal cancer is prevalent in some South African families: one in four cases are indeed genetic, and may be detected very early with DNA tests.

Skin check (Checking the appearance of a lesion. The doctor can also take a small sample of the lesion.)
When? Every year from the age of forty. Golfers, cricketers, farmers, fishermen and others spending a lot of time in the sun, are at high risk.
Why? Skin cancer, when detected early, can be treated very successfully.

Eye test
When? If in your twenties or thirties, every 5 years. Once every 2 years when you are in your forties and annually from fifty onwards. Watch out for blurry vision, obstructed vision or pain in the eye.
Why? Regular eye tests will detect weak eyesight, glaucoma and cataracts and may even save you from blindness. Who does not want to see better?

(Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated February 2008)

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent