A health article provides age-specific medical recommendations for men, emphasizing regular checkups and preventive care.
Recommendations by Decade
20s
- Establish a medical home for baseline health metrics, STI discussions, and family history review.
- Start preventive care: up-to-date vaccines, healthy habits (sleep, exercise, nutrition, mental health), and testicular cancer checks.
30s
- Address weight, smoking, alcohol, diet, and exercise to prevent long-term consequences.
- For men planning children: discuss impact of obesity, substance abuse, and smoking on fertility; avoid testosterone therapy unless unusual circumstances.
40s
- Undergo key screenings: colonoscopy starting at age 45 (or earlier based on history), coronary artery calcium score test, eye exam for glaucoma/cataracts.
- Participate in genetic testing if family history warrants, for mutations increasing cancer risk (colon, prostate, breast, pancreatic).
50s
- Prevent illness with vaccines (shingles at 50+, pneumococcal later, annual flu). Monitor blood pressure.
- Monitor energy levels and sexual function; discuss low testosterone treatment options if applicable.
60s
- Get abdominal sonogram for abdominal aortic aneurysms if ever smoked.
- Screen for Alzheimer's and dementia using brain scans and blood tests; note indicators like getting lost or missing appointments.
70s and up
- Maintain social life and quality sleep for well-being and cognitive function.
- Preserve muscle mass (built in earlier decades) to avoid frailty.
Source: Dr. Steven Lamm, internist and director of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men's Health.