Men’s Health Checklist for Staying Well Through the Ages

Let’s face it — men aren’t always the best at making their health a top priority. But, as you age — regular check-ups for your body are just as important for you as they are for your beloved car – particularly once you hit the golden age of 50.

Family medicine physician Dr. Ronald Prucha explains, “Turning 50 is like hitting 100,000 miles on a car. At this point, it’s time to come in every year for a routine check-up – instead of waiting for the check engine light to come on. Men are infamous for putting off their healthcare for as long as possible, but it’s much easier to treat problems in their earliest stages, which is why prevention is the best way to go,” Dr. Prucha explains.

So, if you want to avoid a breakdown, here is Dr. Prucha’s good health checklist for men over the age of 50.

Annual Physical & General Wellness Screenings

That’s right, once a year it’s time for a routine check-up. Depending on your family or medical history, you’re likely to receive any of the following diagnostic tests or screenings — all designed to identify risk factors for serious health problems in their earliest stages.

• Cholesterol
• Blood Pressure
• Body Weight & BMI
• Blood Sugar/Diabetes
• Vitamin D Check (generally only if family history of deficiency)
• Mental Well-being Screening

Research shows that patients who identify chronic conditions in their earliest stages — and check in with a primary care provider regularly — have better outcomes. So, just do it — schedule your annual visit today!

Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Screening is recommended for all men starting at age 45, or at age 35 if you have risk factors such as family history, irritable bowel disease or other underlying colorectal conditions. The gold standard for screening is a colonoscopy, which is a minimally-invasive imaging test that allows a doctor to use a tiny camera to identify potential problems (such as irritated tissue, polyps or cancer) in the colon and rectum. The good news is the procedure lasts just 30 minutes, you’ll be sedated or under anesthesia and in most cases, you won’t need another one for 3-10 years. Other options include the Cologuard, which is an FDA-approved, at-home, stool-DNA colorectal cancer screening test that’s available by prescription. Dr. Prucha explains that because the Cologuard test isn’t as sensitive or specific as a regular colonoscopy, it’s most often used in patients who are considered at average or low risk for developing colon cancer. Learn more about getting a colonoscopy at WakeMed or find a gastroenterologist.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Recommendations and guidelines for prostate cancer screening have evolved over the past several years — and there’s still conflicting guidance out there. Dr. Prucha says that the decision on whether to screen and when to do so is an individual decision, and he recommends talking with your primary care doctor about the risks and benefits at the age of 40 if you have a family history, or at age 50 if you’re considered low- or average-risk.

While many men may avoid prostate cancer screening due to the digital rectal exam (DRE), the good news is this is a practice that isn’t always necessary. Today, a prostate cancer screening generally just requires a simple blood test known as the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, because it’s far more accurate and less uncomfortable than the DRE. You can talk to your primary care physician or a urologist about the screening option(s) that are best for you.

Lung Cancer Screening

If you’re between the ages of 50 and 80 and are a current or former smoker, you may be at risk for developing lung cancer. The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for:

• Patients who currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years;
• Are between age 50 and 80 and in fairly good health; and
• Have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history. (This is the number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked. For example, someone who smoked 2 packs a day for 10 years [2 x 10 = 20] has 20 pack-years of smoking, as does a person who smoked 1 pack a day for 20 years [1 x 20 = 20].)

Screening includes a non-invasive, painless CT scan (low-dose imaging test) that’s used to detect smaller nodules or cancer. The entire process typically takes less than an hour. Learn more about CT Lung Cancer Screening at WakeMed.

Hepatitis C Screening

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a one-time Hepatitis C virus screening (blood test) for all adults between the ages of 18 and 79. Previously, this screening was only recommended for adults born between the years of 1945 and 1965 or those considered at high risk. Your primary care physician can perform this simple screening during a routine visit.

Vaccines

Vaccination can help protect you from certain viruses or illnesses. The following

• Pneumonia Vaccine — The CDC recommends all adults 65 and older receive an annual pneumococcal vaccine, and for younger patients with certain conditions or risk factors.
• Annual Flu Vaccine — The CDC recommends everyone aged 6 months and up receive an annual flu vaccine — and it’s particularly important for patients who are immunocompromised or have certain chronic conditions.
• COVID-19 Vaccine/Booster — While information is subject to change, the CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 5 receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A single booster is recommended for children age 5+, and two boosters are recommended for adults age 50+.

All of these vaccines are available through WakeMed Primary Care.

Dr. Prucha’s Prescription for Good Health & Quality of Life

With all of these well-checks, screenings and vaccines taken care of, Dr. Prucha says the best ‘prescription’ he can give his patients comes in the form of advice. He tells patients that adopting a healthy lifestyle by avoiding tobacco, staying physically active, reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight can go a really long way in helping men age healthfully.

He suggests finding a physical activity you enjoy, which will make it easier to stick to it.

“Whether it’s joining a gym, getting a treadmill, taking the stairs, walking, golfing or whatever you enjoy — just do it. My patients who stay physically active feel better, have more confidence, and enjoy a better overall outlook on life. As we age, these are all critical in helping us maintain good physical and mental health. It’s the single most important thing you can do to preserve your quality of life.”

Schedule Your Screening with WakeMed Primary Care

Are you ready to take action for good health? Contact a WakeMed Primary Care office near you to schedule your annual screening and check-up. Visit our Primary Care site to find the office most convenient to you and make the call today.