Bodily functions begin to slow down as a man ages. Along with ageing come countless health issues. For one, men at this age become more susceptible to certain kinds of cancer which include lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal or bowel cancer. The odds of getting cancer increase when one is a smoker, is an alcoholic, and is overweight.
As rule of thumb, the risk doubles for every decade over the age of 25. This means that at age 50, the risk of a man getting cancer has already doubled more than twice.
The checklist
Below is a list of medical procedures and tests that should be done for men.
Routine physical exam. At the age of 20 – 40 years old, men should have a physical exam every three years. Meanwhile, for those 40 – 50 years old, exams should be done every two years. After 50, physical exams should be done annually. During a routine physical examination, the doctor will check the status of all vital signs – temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and pain levels. Height and weight will be recorded and used to determine body mass index (BMI). The doctor will feel the patient’s body with his hands to examine the size or tenderness of the organs. Lastly, the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s lungs, heart, and intestines.
Blood pressure monitoring. This should be done every year. High blood pressure is diagnosed when the patient’s blood pressure reaches 140/90 or higher. If the patient is diagnosed to be hypertensive, blood pressure checks should be done annually. Having high blood pressure levels makes a man a likely candidate for cardiovascular diseases.
Complete Blood Count (CBC). A sample of blood is taken and is tested to rule out the possibility of anemia, infections, and other medical conditions. This is usually done along with the physical exam.
Chest X-ray. This should be done annually after age 40 especially for men who smoke. It can also be helpful in detecting tuberculosis, a disease which is particularly significant for Filipinos.
Lipid profile test. This test checks the blood’s cholesterol levels to examine the risk of heart attack and stroke. A sample of blood is extracted from the patient after 9 to 12 hours of fasting. Men should have their cholesterol levels checked at least every two years at the age of 35. Younger men may be required by their doctors to have theirs tested if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, or they have a history of heart disease in the family. Smokers should also have their cholesterol levels checked regardless of age.
Blood glucose test. Blood is extracted from the patient after 8 to 10 hours of fasting. This is to rule out the possibility of diabetes. This test is usually requested by the doctor when the patient has high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. It is also imperative for those with a family history of diabetes.
Electrocardiogram test (ECG). The overall health of the heart is assessed by attaching various electrodes to the patient’s body. A cardiac stress test may also be done to be able to compare the heart’s performance at rest and during an activity. Again, this test is usually part of the routine physical exam.
Digital rectal exam. Most men find this test uncomfortable as the doctor checks the size of the prostate gland through the rectum. This test is requested by the doctor when symptoms of prostate problems are present. However, men over 50 years old should have this test annually. For those with a history of prostate cancer, annual checks may be done from the age of 40. If the doctor finds that the prostate gland is bigger than normal, a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test will be done to rule out prostate cancer.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm test. The screening is usually requested for males between the ages of 65 and 75 and who have ever smoked during their lifetime. This is to see if the blood vessels in the abdomen are swollen.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men after skin cancer. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but there are also aggressive, fast-growing types of prostate cancer. Screening tests can find the disease early, sometimes before symptoms develop, when treatments are most effective.
Tests for Prostate Cancer
Screenings for healthy men may include both a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The American Cancer Society advises men to talk with a doctor about the risks and limitations of PSA screening as well as its possible benefits.
The American Urological Association recommends a first-time PSA test at age 40, with follow-ups per doctor's orders.
Testicular Cancer
This uncommon cancer develops in a man's testicles, the reproductive glands that produce sperm. Most cases occur between ages 20 and 54. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men have a testicular exam when they see a doctor for a routine physical. Men at higher risk (a family history or an undescended testicle) should talk with a doctor about additional screening. Some doctors advise regular self-exams, gently feeling for hard lumps, smooth bumps, or changes in size or shape of the testes.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. Men have a slightly higher risk of developing it than women. The majority of colon cancers slowly develop from colon polyps: growths on the inner surface of the colon. After cancer develops it can invade or spread to other parts of the body. The way to prevent colon cancer is to find and remove colon polyps before they turn cancerous.
Tests for Colon Cancer
Screening begins at age 50 in average-risk adults. A colonoscopy is a common test for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer. A doctor views the entire colon using a flexible tube and a camera. Polyps can be removed at the time of the test. A similar alternative is a flexible sigmoidoscopy that examines only the lower part of the colon.
Some patients opt for a virtual colonoscopy — a CT scan — or double contrast barium enema — a special X-ray — although if polyps are detected, an actual colonoscopy is needed to remove them.
Skin Cancer
The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma (shown here). It begins in specialized cells called melanocytes that produce skin color. Older men are twice as likely to develop melanoma as women of the same age. Men are also 2-3 times more likely to get non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers than women are. Your risk increases as lifetime exposure to sun and/or tanning beds accumulates; sunburns accelerate risk.
Screening for Skin Cancer
The American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend regular skin self-exams to check for any changes in marks on your skin including shape, color, and size. A skin exam by a dermatologist or other health professional should be part of a routine cancer checkup. Treatments for skin cancer are more effective and less disfiguring when it's found early.
Cholesterol Levels
A high level of LDL cholesterol in the blood causes sticky plaque to build up in the walls of your arteries (seen here in orange). This increases your risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis – hardening and narrowing of the arteries — can progress without symptoms for many years. Over time it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes and medications can reduce this "bad" cholesterol and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Determining Cholesterol Levels
The fasting blood lipid panel is a blood test that tells you your levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, HDL "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fat). The results tell you and your doctor a lot about what you need to do to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Men 20 years and older should have a new panel done at least every five years. Starting at 35, men need regular cholesterol testing.
Type 2 Diabetes
One-third of Americans with diabetes don't know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina (shown here), nerve damage, and impotence. This doesn't have to happen. Especially when found early, diabetes can be controlled and complications can be avoided with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medications.
Screening for Type 2 Diabetes
A fasting plasma glucose test is most often used to screen for diabetes. More and more doctors are turning to the A1C test, which tells how well your body has controlled blood sugar over time. Healthy adults should have the test every three years starting at age 45. If you have a higher risk, including high cholesterol or blood pressure, you may start testing earlier and more frequently.
Glaucoma
This group of eye diseases gradually damages the optic nerve and may lead to blindness – and significant, irreversible vision loss can occur before people with glaucoma notice any symptoms. Screening tests look for abnormally high pressure within the eye, to catch and treat the condition before damage to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma Screening
Eye tests for glaucoma are based on age and personal risk:
* Under 40: Every 2-4 years
* 40-54: Every 1-3 years
* 55-64: Every 1-2 years
* 65 up: Every 6-12 months
Talk with a doctor about earlier, more frequent screening, if you fall in a high risk group: African-Americans, those with a family history of glaucoma, previous eye injury, or use of steroid medications.
No comments:
Post a Comment