Essential Health Screenings for Men: What to Check and When

Key Takeaways:

• Certain health screenings for men are essential at every age (like blood pressure), while others depend on your risk and age.. The tools can help detect potential health risks before symptoms develop.

• Routine blood work, especially targeted blood tests (like cholesterol or A1c), can give a useful snapshot of health.

• In addition to physical exams, mental health screenings for men are important for preserving overall health.
  

Staying on top of your health requires more than eating well, hitting the gym, and getting the recommended vaccines (although those are key factors). It’s also important to get the right screenings at the right time — even if you’re not sick — which is something many guys avoid doing.

Routine health screenings for men like blood pressure, colorectal cancer, and diabetes are among the most effective ways to spot risks and diseases early, often before any symptoms appear.

From simple blood pressure checks and routine blood work to cancer screenings and mental health assessments, these tests provide a clearer picture of overall well-being.

Knowing which screenings to prioritize at each stage of life can help men prevent complications, make informed lifestyle changes, and protect their long-term health.

Preventive care is crucial in a man’s earlier years because the overall risk for certain health conditions generally increases as we age.

For this reason, your 20s are an ideal time to establish a benchmark for various health markers. This way, you have a point of reference for points of comparison later on. Men’s health screenings are key to identifying silent risk factors and catching health changes early.

Below are some of the key routine screenings for younger guys.

Routine Physical Exams

Regular checkups aren’t something that should fall by the wayside once your parents stop scheduling your annual appointments for you. Not only do annual checkups help you establish a good rapport with your healthcare provider, but they also provide important health data that’s worth tracking over time. The results of these workups can also provide indications for additional screenings.

Blood Pressure Checks

High blood pressure (hypertension) rarely causes significant symptoms but is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

Blood pressure checks can catch hypertension in the early stages, when it’s most treatable. Ideally, the cadence for blood pressure checks is once a year — or more often if you’re at a higher risk.

Cholesterol Screening

Even in young adults, high cholesterol levels can quietly damage arteries over time, putting you at risk for more serious problems later.

A simple blood test checks LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides (another type of fat that circulates in your blood).

If results are abnormal, your provider may suggest you make lifestyle changes or start certain medical treatments. Doing so may help to lower your cardiovascular risk before problems develop.

Blood Sugar and Diabetes Screening

With rates of type 2 diabetes rising in younger adults, it’s important to screen for blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a longer-term biomarker of blood sugar control.

These tests indicate how effectively your body processes sugar. The tests can also identify prediabetes or diabetes years before complications like nerve or kidney damage may occur.

According to the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), adults ages 35–70 who have overweight or obesity should be screened for diabetes using a fasting glucose test or A1c. People at higher risk may benefit from starting screening earlier.

Infectious Disease Screenings

Depending on sexual practices, men in their 20s and 30s may need to undergo regular screenings for HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis or chlamydia.

All of the aforementioned conditions are best managed and treated with early intervention. This not only reduces long-term health risks but also protects sexual partners.

These early screenings give men a strong foundation for long-term health, making it easier to prevent certain health ailments from presenting rather than treating them later.

As we approach middle age, the risk for developing more health conditions increases. This gives greater importance to annual physical exams.

Your provider can help you track factors like weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. They may recommend you get blood tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid health, and liver and kidney function.

In addition to keeping up with screenings from previous years, providers may recommend you add a few more tests to the mix.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Despite being one of the most common cancers in men, colorectal cancer is also highly preventable. Screening usually starts at age 45 with either a colonoscopy or stool-based tests like the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Discuss with your provider which screening option makes the most sense for you.

These detect precancerous polyps or early cancer, when treatment is most effective. Men with a family history may need to start sooner.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is another leading cancer among men.

Talk with your clinician about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam screening. The USPSTF recommends shared decision-making for men ages 55–69. The American Urological Association (AUA) suggests beginning that discussion around age 50, or earlier for men at higher risk. Screening can help identify cancer before it spreads, when treatment options are most effective.

Skin Cancer Checks

Men are more likely than women to develop skin cancer, including melanoma, which can be deadly without early detection. Regular skin exams with a dermatologist, along with monthly self-checks for new or changing moles, can be lifesaving.

These exams also provide an opportunity to discuss lifestyle factors — like exercise, alcohol, and stress — with your provider.

In later decades of life, essential health screenings for men continue with the goal of maintaining independence, quality of life, and longevity. Age-related conditions often progress silently, making early detection critical.

Here are some essential health screenings for men who are 60+.

Bone Density Testing (DEXA Scan)

Consider bone density testing if you’re a man 70 or older, or 50–69 with risk factors (like prior fracture, low body weight, smoking). Bone density scans measure bone strength and help to identify fracture risk.

Detecting low bone density early allows for interventions like diet changes, weight-bearing exercise, or medication to reduce the chance of serious fractures.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Age-related vision changes such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can impact daily safety and independence. Regular eye exams every one to two years can detect these issues before vision loss occurs.

Hearing screenings are also important, as research has linked untreated hearing loss to social isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline.

Cancer Screenings

While colorectal and prostate screenings often continue into this stage of life, your provider may adjust the frequency depending on prior results and your overall health.

It may also be time to talk about other specific screening tests based on your risk factors.

For example, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screenings for men ages 50–80 who have a history of smoking 20 packs per year, who currently smoke, or who have stopped in the last 15 years.

Heart and Vascular Health Checks

As men get older, they face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Most men need regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol and A1c panels as indicated, and cardiovascular risk assessment. Imaging tests (like echo or carotid ultrasound) are usually ordered only if your symptoms or exam suggest a problem.

Mental Health Screenings (All Ages)

Physical exams are important, and screenings for mental health are not to be overlooked. This is especially important to highlight, given that men are less likely than women to seek professional help for concerns like anxiety and depression.

However, these issues stand to affect your personal life, your relationships, performance at work, and more. Often, symptoms tend to get worse over time if not adequately addressed.

Depression and Anxiety Screenings

Primary care visits increasingly include short questionnaires, such as the PHQ-9 for depression or GAD-7 for anxiety. These help to identify early warning signs of certain mental health concerns.

These tools facilitate an opening for you to discuss mood changes, sleep disruptions, or loss of motivation with your provider in a safe space. From there, you can start important conversations about getting things on track.

Substance Abuse Screenings

Alcohol and drug use disorders are more common in men than women and are often overlooked until there are serious consequences. What may start as a way to self-soothe or distract from mental health challenges can quickly turn into something addictive or otherwise harmful.

Simple screening questions in routine checkups can highlight unhealthy patterns early, making it easier to get support before a problem escalates.

Why It Matters

Mental health screenings reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and connect men to helpful resources in a timely manner.

Addressing these issues is just as critical as monitoring cholesterol or blood pressure. After all, whole-person health depends on both body and mind.

In addition to age-based screenings, routine blood work provides a window into your overall health at any stage of life.

These tests are simple, widely available, and can uncover issues long before symptoms appear. During your annual wellness exam, your healthcare provider may recommend that you get standard blood work, tailored to your age and risk.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

This panel checks liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and protein levels. Abnormal results may point to organ stress, dehydration, or metabolic imbalances that require follow-up.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A CBC measures red and white blood cells and platelets. It can reveal anemia, infections, or blood disorders, providing an overview of your body’s ability to transport oxygen and fight illness.

Thyroid Function Tests

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy, and weight. Testing TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and sometimes free T4 or T3 helps detect overactive or underactive thyroid conditions that can cause fatigue, mood changes, or weight fluctuations.

Lipid Panel

As a standard part of preventive care, this test measures total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides to assess for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk.

Vitamin D and B12 Levels

Many adults are low in vitamin D, which your skin produces as a result of sun exposure and eating fortified foods.

Vitamin B12 absorption naturally declines with age and is often low among those who eat a plant-based diet without appropriately supplementing.

Not getting enough of these nutrients can lead to issues like fatigue, an increased risk of bone fractures, or neurological symptoms. Identifying low levels early allows for effective supplementation or impactful dietary changes.

Routine blood work offers a snapshot of internal health that complements physical exams and targeted screenings, helping men stay ahead of potential issues.

Preventive care is among the most powerful tools at your disposal to help you understand your body and protect your long-term health.

Routine checkups that include physical exams, blood work, and mental health screenings provide important insight into your body and can help you identify potential issues before they become complications.

Staying on track with screening guidelines for your age can help you reduce your risk of preventable conditions and encourage a longer, healthier life.

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about health screenings for guys throughout various life stages.

What health screenings should men get every year?

Annual checkups often include blood pressure, weight and BMI measurements. Other labs and other blood work are ordered based on age, prior results, and overall cardiovascular risk — not automatically every year. Depending on age and risk factors, healthcare professionals may also recommend cancer screenings or completing mental health questionnaires.

At what age should men start prostate cancer screening?

There’s no one age for everyone. The USPSTF recommends shared decision-making for men 55–69 but those with risk factors should start earlier. Discuss the best timing for you with your healthcare provider.

When should men get a colonoscopy?

Colorectal cancer screening typically begins at age 45. Men with a family history of colon cancer or certain risk factors may need to start earlier or be screened more often.

Do men really need mental health screenings?

Yes. Depression, anxiety, and substance use are common in men but are often underdiagnosed. Mental health screenings are quick and effective tools to catch concerns early and connect men with support.

What does routine blood work for men include?

There’s no single “standard panel” for every man and the USPSTF doesn’t specify routine lab panels for healthy adults without symptoms. However, healthcare providers often order common baseline tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and cholesterol (lipid) panel—as part of general preventive care. Depending on your age, health history, and risk factors, your healthcare provider might also order thyroid function tests, and sometimes vitamin D and B12 levels.