Boy, is it tough to get men to go to the doctor.
Research shows that most men would rather do just about anything else. This is a major problem because everyone needs regular check-ups and preventive screenings to address silent conditions and improve long-term health outcomes.
Let’s keep it simple — here are the two things men should do in every decade for optimal health.
20s
Establish a medical home
I’m thrilled if I get to see a patient in his 20s. It means that he’s taking his health seriously.
It’s hard enough for some men to get in the door, so I want them to know it’s a nonjudgmental space. At the initial visit, we typically collect baseline health metrics, discuss conditions like sexually transmitted diseases and review family medical history.
Start preventative care
We want to make sure young men are on track with their vaccines.
I’ll start a conversation about good habits surrounding sleep, exercise, nutrition and mental health and strategies to mitigate high blood pressure, stress, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, substance abuse and injuries. I challenge my patients to make goals they can stick to.
Men should also be checked for testicular cancer in their 20s.
30s
Take better care of yourself …
If I see a patient who is struggling with his weight, cigarettes, alcohol or an unhealthy diet, we talk about the consequences. It’s an impactful way to get through to him.
This is particularly important if he plans to get married and have kids. I tell him, “If anything happens to you health-wise, your wife may find somebody else, but those kids won’t.”
… especially if you want to have kids
The healthier the man, the more fertile he probably is. Obesity, substance abuse, smoking or poor eating habits can impact sperm production and quality.
Although testosterone therapy is trendy, men interested in having children should not be given testosterone unless there’s an unusual circumstance. It harms fertility.
40s
Undergo key screenings
The 40s are a time when illness can really start to rear its ugly head — and lack of preparation in your 20s and 30s can come back to haunt you.
Untreated hypertension can result in a stroke or even kidney failure. It’s not shocking to hear about a man in his 40s having a heart attack.
Cancer screening is essential in this decade. We suggest that most people get a colonoscopy starting at age 45 and some even younger, depending on their medical and family history.
The coronary artery calcium score test helps to assess heart attack risk, while an eye exam can detect glaucoma and cataracts. For many people, the first sign of aging is the need for glasses.
Participate in genetic testing
When a patient is in his late 30s and 40s, I’ll do some genetic tests if his family history warrants.
I’ll look for mutations that increase his risk for cancers such as colon, prostate, breast and pancreatic.
I like to use this type of personalized precision medicine to emphasize strategies to prevent cancer and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
50s
Prevent illness
In the 50s, it’s not uncommon to have pulmonary disease, heart disease or cardiac arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.
As part of preventative care, we recommend the shingles vaccine to men 50 and up. As they get a little older, we suggest the pneumococcal vaccine. Plus, the annual influenza vaccine is critical.
Blood pressure is important. Most men 55 and older have hypertension, so we need to monitor that.
Monitor energy levels and sexual function
Testosterone is a very important hormone, especially for men complaining of low energy, the loss of morning erections and problems with their libido.
If you are 50 and older and have low testosterone, talk with your doctor about treatment options that could improve your well-being.
60s
Get an abdominal sonogram
Anyone who has been a smoker at some point should consider getting an abdominal sonogram to look for abdominal aortic aneurysms. We recommend getting this done around 60 or so to find and treat lung nodules at a very early stage.
Screen for Alzheimer’s and dementia
We’re at a point now where we can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease much earlier, thanks to special scans of the brain and novel blood tests. We want to identify it and start treating it as soon as possible.
Potential indicators of Alzheimer’s or dementia can be consistently getting lost or missing important appointments. If symptoms worsen, make a plan.
70s and up
Stay social
Maintaining a social life will help your overall well-being immensely — whether you’re spending time with family, friends or picking up a new hobby. Quality sleep is also critical for cognitive function and a key piece of well-being.
Preserve muscle
It’s difficult to build muscle in your 70s. You want to be building it in your 30s and 40s, so you’ll have enough muscle in your 60s and 70s that you’re not frail.
It’s an example of how there’s no point in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s when you can ignore your health. You can’t take time off, like a six-month break — it doesn’t work that way.
Investing in your health from an early age is the best way to live a vital, vibrant and long life. It may seem unnatural to go to the doctor when you feel totally healthy, but it will pay off for decades to come.
Steven Lamm, MD, is an internist, clinical professor of medicine and the director of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. He sees adult men and women for virtual and in-person visits, treating each person based on their needs and desired lifestyle.
