By Julie Deardorff
Chicago Tribune
Men have a well-earned reputation for tuning up their car more frequently than their bodies. But regular checkups and screenings at the appropriate age can help prevent equipment deterioration and malfunction. Though guidelines vary depending on the source, here's when to get your jalopy into the doctor's office.
Ages 18 to 39
Physical: Every three years
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Blood pressure: Annually
Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years
Blood tests and urinalysis: Every three years (testing for cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction)
Electrocardiogram (EKG): At age 30
Tetanus booster: Every 10 years
Rectal exam: Annually
Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam beginning at age 20; then see a doctor every three years
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Oral health: One to two dental exams a year.
Hearing test: Beginning at age 18; then every 10 years
Eye exam: When experiencing problems or visual changes
Ages 40 to 49
Physical: Every two years
Blood pressure: Every year
Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years
Blood tests and urinalysis: Every two years (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction)
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Electrocardiogram (EKG): Every four years
Rectal exam: Annually
Prostate exam: PSA blood test starting at age 45 if you're African-American or a father or brother was diagnosed before age 65, according to the American Cancer Society. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40.
Testicular self-exam: Every month
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year
Oral health: See the dentist once or twice a year
Hearing test: Every 10 years
Eye exam: Every two to four years
Ages 50 on up
Physical: Annually
Blood pressure: Annually
Tuberculosis skin test: Annually
Blood tests and urinalysis: Annually (cholesterol, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction)
Electrocardiogram (EKG): Every three years
Rectal exam: Annually
Tetanus booster: Every 10 years
Prostate exam: Annually (PSA blood test and digital rectal examination, according to the American Cancer Society. The American Academy of Family Physicians disagrees.)
Testicular, skin, oral and breast self-exams: Every month
Skin health: Monthly mole self-exam; see a doctor every year
Oral health: See the dentist once or twice a year
Bone health: Screening at age 60
Hearing test: Every three years
Eye exam: Every two to four years
Colon and rectal exams: Starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society (and AAFP) suggests following one of five schedules: Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT); flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; yearly FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; double-contrast barium enema every five years; colonoscopy every 10 years. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy.
