Importance of Screening Tests
The most important thing a man can do for his health and well being is to get the right screening tests done at the right time. Screening tests help in finding the diseases early, even before you notice the symptoms, which make it easier to treat the disease. For instance, with timely screening early colon cancer can be nipped in the bud and diagnosing diabetes early may help in preventing complications such as vision loss and impotence. Mostly all tests are based on the age and the risk factors. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. Although it is a slow-growing cancer but there are some aggressive and fast-growing types of prostate cancer as well. When the Screening tests are done on the right time, the disease can be found in the early stage, sometimes before symptoms develop. Tests for healthy men include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) Blood test. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Testicular Cancer
This is a very uncommon type of cancer that develops in man's testicles, the reproductive glands is responsible for producing the sperms. In most cases it occurs between ages 20 and 54. Men with family history or an undescended testicle are higher risk of developing this cancer. If you fall this category, you should do self-examinations such as gently feeling for hard lumps, smooth bumps, or changes in size or shape of the testes. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer that leads to death. Men are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than women. The Colon cancers develop slowly from colon polyps which is the growth on the inner surface of the colon. As the cancer develops, it starts to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The most effective way to prevent colon cancer is to find and remove the colon polyps before they turn cancerous. The most common test to detect polyps and colorectal cancer is colonoscopy. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Skin Cancer
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It begins in the cells known as melanocytes which are responsible for producing the skin colour. Older men are at higher risk at developing melanoma cancer then women of the same age. Like wise men are also more likely to get non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. The risk tends to increase with excessive exposure to sun and/or tanning beds accumulations. You can do a self check for any changes in the skin including the marks, shapes, colour and size, but a routine cancer checkup should be done by dermatologist. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
High Blood Pressure
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age as it related to your weight and lifestyle. High blood pressure can cause severe complications without indicating any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm which is a dangerous ballooning of an artery. However, it can be treated thereby reducing the risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. How often you should get your blood pressure checked depends upon on how high it is and what are the other risk factors involved. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
High Blood Pressure
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age as it related to your weight and lifestyle. High blood pressure can cause severe complications without indicating any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm which is a dangerous ballooning of an artery. However, it can be treated thereby reducing the risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. How often you should get your blood pressure checked depends upon on how high it is and what are the other risk factors involved. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Cholesterol Levels
A high level of LDL cholesterol in the blood causes the plaque to build up in the walls of your arteries. This increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis which is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. If cholesterol levels are not kept under control, there would be high risk of getting heart attack and stroke. The changes in the lifestyles and medications can reduce this "bad" cholesterol levels and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. You can determine the cholesterol levels with the help of fasting blood lipid panel which is blood test that tells you the levels of total cholesterol. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Type 2 Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes 2 can cause heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina, damages the nerves and lead to impotence. All these can be prevented by diagnosing diabetes in the early stage and complications can be avoided with proper diet, exercise, weight loss, and medications. The screening for Type 2 diabetes is done by a fasting plasma glucose test. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
AIDS is caused by the virus known as HIV which is found in the blood and other body secretions of infected individuals, even when there are no symptoms. It spreads from one person to another when these secretions come in contact with the vagina, anal area, mouth, eyes, or a break in the skin. Unfortunately there is still no cure or vaccine for treating HIV. But recently developed modern treatments can keep HIV infection from becoming AIDS, but these medications can have serious side effects. The only way to know if a person is infected is with a series of blood tests. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
