There are some health screening tests every man should do – because there’s nothing manly about developing diseases, especially if you have risk factors based on lifestyle or family history.
Screening is designed to catch health problems before they develop into a bigger problem, and in many cases, you’ll have no idea there’s trouble brewing until you’re sick enough to see a doctor. Think of this as similar to preventative maintenance on your truck… always easier than a repair. So here are 12 important screening tests for men…
1. Colon Check
No one likes the thought of having a tube inserted into their colon, but the alternative – namely colorectal cancer – is much, much worse. WebMD notes that screening for colorectal cancer begins at age 50 for “average-risk” adults.
Using a flexible tube equipped with a camera, a doctor can examine the entire length of the colon and search for abnormal growths called polyps – which can also be removed at the same time, notes the source. There’s a slightly less intensive version called a flexible sigmoidoscopy that only detects problems in the lower part of the colon, it adds.
