Life Course Health
From the day that we are born to when we grow old, the focus on health and what should be regularly checked up on will shift, and this is no different for men. Below is a checklist detailing some of the important health related matters that should be monitored for young boys and men at different ages [1]:
Men in their 20s -
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks by your doctor
Men in their 30s –
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks by your doctor
- Regular weight checks to ensure you are at a healthy weight
Men in their 40s –
- A prostate exam to check for prostate cancer
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks by your doctor
- Regular weight checks to ensure you are at a healthy weight
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function as well as iron levels
Men in their 50s –
- A prostate exam to check for prostate cancer
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks by your doctor
- Regular weight checks to ensure you are at a healthy weight
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function as well as iron levels
- Screening for bowel cancer every two years
Men in their 60s –
- A prostate exam to check for prostate cancer
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks by your doctor
- Regular weight checks to ensure you are at a healthy weight
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function as well as iron levels
- Screening for bowel cancer every two years
- Scans for bone density and osteoporosis
Men in their 70s and beyond –
- A prostate exam to check for prostate cancer
- A skin check for skin cancer if any noticeable changes occur in the skin
- Tests for testicular cancer
- Dental check-ups – as advised by a dentist
- Eye health tests – as advised by an optometrist
- Vaccinations and booster shots – as advised by your GP
- A sexual health check at least once a year if you are frequently sexually active, or more frequently if you have recently had unprotected sex, suspect you may have an STI, are starting a new relationship or believe you had an issue with contraception during sex
- Regular blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks by your doctor
- Regular weight checks to ensure you are at a healthy weight
- Blood tests for kidney and liver function as well as iron levels
- Screening for bowel cancer every two years between the ages 50-74
- Scans for bone density and osteoporosis
For further information on specific conditions, topics or areas please navigate to the relevant tab on this website.
For more information on Healthy Ageing in men, please visit the following websites:
Research and reports relating to healthy ageing can be found below:
- “How to find good health information online” – Australian commission on safety and quality in health care (2021)
- Healthy ageing: developmental research report
References
1.Queensland Government. Men’s health through the decades. 2018; Available from: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/men-women/men/ages.