Men’s Health Month wrapped up in June, but keeping your health top of mind is important every month of the year. Regular checkups allow your care team to detect issues early and guide you toward habits that support lifelong wellness.
Early action can lower your risk for chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Scheduling a few key screenings now can help you stay on track today and protect your health for the future.
Why preventive care matters
Preventive appointments are more than a date on your calendar. They give your provider a clear picture of how your body is doing today and what support you might need for tomorrow.
At a routine visit, your care team will usually:
Check key numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
Recommend screenings that match your age, family history, and lifestyle
Discuss daily habits like nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress to help you set realistic goals
Update vaccines and answer any health questions on your mind
Finding concerns such as high blood pressure or early‑stage cancer before symptoms appear usually means simpler treatment and a faster return to the activities you enjoy. A short visit now can save time, money, and worry later.
Not sure where to begin? Ask your provider about these four screenings that can make a real difference for men’s health.
1. Annual physical exam: the foundation of men's health
The annual physical exam forms the backbone of preventive care. It's crucial for understanding your overall health status.
During this exam, doctors assess vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate. They also review medical history for any new developments. The aim is to spot any red flags early.
Routine tests and discussions during a physical include:
Blood pressure check
Heart and lung evaluation
Body mass index assessment
Updating vaccines
Discussion of lifestyle habits
During this exam, you can also discuss ongoing health concerns to serve as a baseline for future comparisons, helping you track any health changes.
2. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks: protecting your heart
High blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol often have no warning signs, yet they are leading causes of heart disease and stroke. A quick cuff reading and a small blood sample can flag problems long before you feel any symptoms.
What to expect and how often:
Blood pressure: Check at least every two years, or every year if readings trend high or you have risk factors.
Cholesterol: Men age 20 and older should have a fasting lipid panel every four to six years. Your provider may repeat it sooner if you smoke, have diabetes, or have a strong family history of heart disease.
Next steps: Simple changes—more movement, mindful eating, reducing sodium—can improve numbers. If lifestyle shifts are not enough, medication can help protect your heart.
Managing heart health through routine checks is one more step toward taking charge of your health.
3. Diabetes screening: catch risks early
High blood sugar can quietly damage nerves, kidneys, and vision long before you feel any symptoms. A simple blood test lets you spot trouble early and take action.
Screening basics
Who should test: Every three years starting at age 35, or sooner if you carry extra weight, have high blood pressure, or have a family history of diabetes.
Test options: A fasting plasma glucose test, an A1C test (which shows your average blood sugar over the past three months), or sometimes an oral glucose tolerance test. Each requires only a small blood sample.
What happens next: Results are usually ready within one business day. Your provider reviews the numbers with you and recommends next steps—like adjustments to meals, movement, or medication—to keep levels in a healthy range.
Knowing your glucose levels helps you and your care team prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
4. Cancer screenings: prostate, colon, and skin
Cancer screenings do more than look for disease—they give you peace of mind and keep treatment options simple if a problem shows up early.
Prostate
Your prostate makes part of the fluid that protects sperm. As men age, cells in this small gland can change without warning. A quick blood draw or exam helps spot those changes early.
Action step: Ask your provider about a prostate‑specific antigen (PSA) test around age 50, or sooner if prostate cancer runs in your family.
Colon
The colon absorbs water and nutrients, but precancerous polyps can grow silently along its lining. Screening tools—like colonoscopies or stool tests—can find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer.
Action step: Schedule your first colon screening at age 45 and follow the testing schedule your provider recommends.
Skin
Skin cancer often starts as a tiny change in a mole or freckle. A trained eye can spot trouble long before it becomes serious.
Action step: Book a yearly full‑body skin exam, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or have many moles.
Putting it all together: take charge of your health
Regular checkups and timely screenings help you stay ahead of health problems and enjoy more of the moments that matter. Your primary care provider can explain each test in more detail, answer questions, and refer you to specialty care when needed.
Ready to get started? Call the Adena Health scheduling team at (740) 779‑7500 or visit Adena.org/PrimaryCare to request an appointment. We’ll help you make sure you don’t miss a thing.