Why Screening Tests Are Important
Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the most vital things a man can do for his health. Screenings can help detect diseases early, before you develop symptoms, when they’re easier to treat. Colon cancer can be stopped with early detection. Also detecting diabetes early through tests may help prevent complications such as impotence.

Prostate Cancer
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but there are also aggressive, fast-growing types of prostate cancer. Screening tests can help find this cancer early.

Tests for Prostate Cancer
Screenings for healthy men may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and possibly a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Government guidelines recommend against the routine use of the PSA test.

Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly kind of cancer that develops from colon polyps (growths on the inner surface of the colon). Men have a higher risk of developing it than women. After cancer develops, it can attack other parts of the body. If the polyps are detected early, they can be removed before they turn cancerous, thereby preventing colon cancer.

Tests for Colon Cancer
A medical procedure called colonoscopy is a common test for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer. The test involves a doctor using a flexible tube and camera to view the entire colon. Polyps can be removed at the time of the test. A similar test is a flexible sigmoidoscopy that examines only the lower part of the colon.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS is found in the blood and other body secretions of infected individuals, even when there are no obvious symptoms yet. 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. There is still no cure or vaccine for AIDS.

HIV Screening Tests
People infected with HIV can remain without showing any symptom for many years. The only way to know they are infected is with a series of blood tests. The first test is called ELISA or EIA. It checks for antibodies to HIV in the blood. It’s possible not to be infected and still show positive on the test. So a second test called a Western blot assay is done for confirmation. If you were recently infected, you could still have a negative test result. Repeat testing is recommended.

Preventing the Spread of HIV
Most newly infected individuals test positive by two months after infection. But up to 5% are still negative after six months. Total abstinence or practicing safe sex is necessary to avoid getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Skin Cancer
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It begins in specialized cells called melanocytes that produce skin color. Older men are twice as likely to develop melanoma as women of the same age. Prolonged exposure to sun and/or tanning beds increases your risks of developing skin cancer.

Screening for Skin Cancer
Regular skin self-exams should be undertaken to check for any changes in marks on your skin including color, size and shape. A skin exam by a dermatologist or other health experts should be part of a routine checkup. The treatments for skin cancer are more actual and less damaging when it’s detected early.

Testicular Cancer
This rare cancer develops in the testicles (reproductive glands that produce sperm) of a man. Most cases occur between ages 20 and 54. Men at higher risk includes those with a family history of this cancer. Such men should talk with a doctor about additional screening. Some doctors advise regular self-exams, gently feeling for hard lumps, smooth bumps, or changes in shape or size of the testes.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
It’s vital for everyone to know their blood pressure. High blood pressure risks increases with age. Apart from age, other contributory factors to hypertension are weight and lifestyle. It can lead to severe complications without any prior symptoms, including a dangerous swelling of an artery (aneurysm). Early detection and treatment helps reduce your risks of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. But it can be treated. When it is, you may reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Screening for High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure readings give two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. High blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, and in between those two is pre-hypertension.

Type 2 Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to impotence, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina, and nerve damage. If found early, diabetes can be controlled and complications can be avoided with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medications.

Screening for Type 2 Diabetes
A fasting blood sugar test, glucose tolerance test, or an AIC all can be used alone or together to screen for diabetes. Healthy adults should have the test every three years beginning at age 45.

Cholesterol Levels
High level of LDL cholesterol in the blood causes sticky plaque to build up in the walls of the arteries. This increases your risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), can progress unnoticed for many years. Over time it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Early detection, lifestyle changes and medications can reduce this lower the risk of heart-related disease.

Determining Cholesterol Levels
The fasting blood lipid panel indicates your levels of total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, HDL “good” cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fat). The results tell you and your doctor a lot about what you need to do to decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Beginning from the age of 35, men need to undergo regular testing for cholesterol. Screening for cholesterol should start at age 20.

Glaucoma
This eye disease gradually damages the optic nerve and may lead to blindness. Irreversible vision loss can occur before people with glaucoma even notice any symptoms. Early screening tests check for abnormally high pressure within the eye, to detect and treat the condition before damage to the optic nerve.
Source: http://www.healthdiary365.com/2018/03/08/important-screening-tests-every-man-needs/

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