Healthcare Guidelines For Men Picture of an elderly man, smiling

Routine activities for men to ensure good health:

These charts provide general healthcare guidelines for men, but are not meant to replace any advice and guidance given by your physician. Please use them as a reminder to take care of your personal healthcare needs, and also as a list of topics you may want to discuss with your physician.

 

Each Day Each Month Each Year Other
Exercise 20 minutes (at least 3 days each week). Perform a testicular self-examination. Have a dental checkup once or twice a year. After age 20: every 5 years have a full lipid profile test for cholesterol and triglycerides.

Protect yourself from the sun - use sunscreen and dress appropriately.

 Perform an oral cavity self-examination - gums, teeth, lips, tongue. After age 50:
have a physical examination by your physician.		 Every 3 years
after age 30:
have a physical examination by your physician.
Watch your fat intake - no more than 30 percent of your caloric intake. Perform a full-body self-examination for unusual moles or other skin conditions. After age 50: have a DRE (digital rectal examination). Every 2 years
after age 40:
have a physical examination by your physician.
Eat 2 - 3 servings of protein (meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts) and dairy products. Be aware of your blood pressure level. After age 50: have a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, or as recommended by your physician. After age 50:
have a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or as recommended by your physician.
Eat 6 - 11 servings of grains;
3 - 5 servings of vegetables;
and 2 - 4 servings
of fruits.		 Be aware of your cholesterol level. After age 50: have a PAP (prostatic acid phosphatase) test, or as recommended by your physician. After age 50: have a colonoscopy every 10 years, or as recommended by your physician.
Be aware of your alcohol intake. Be aware of your weight - check your BMI (body mass index). After age 50: have a fecal occult blood test. After age 50: have a double contrast barium enema every 5 -10 years, or as recommended by your physician.
The importance of preventive healthcare:
Picture of a father teaching his young son how to ride a bicycle According to information found in the Congressional Record (S.J. Res. 179):

Significant numbers of male-related health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer could be detected and treated if men's awareness of these problems was more pervasive. Educating both the public and healthcare providers about the importance of early detection of male health problems will result in reducing rates of mortality for these diseases.

Many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations of male-related problems for a variety of reasons including fear, lack of information, and cost factors. Men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive family member will be more likely to participate in health screenings.

 

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Medical Content last Reviewed April 2003