Men are less likely to use preventive healthcare than women according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency found that women had a 69% higher rate of preventive care visits than men. This is important as men experience a shorter life expectancy than women in the US. The average life expectancy is 81.4 years for women and 76.5 years for men as reported in 2024 by the CDC. Preventive healthcare could help close that gap. There are several reasons that men delay preventive screenings. They include cultural expectations, fear and avoidance, discomfort talking openly, past negative experiences, and access and affordability. It is important that these issues are addressed because early detection of health conditions can lengthen the lives of men and improve their quality of life. Screening can lead to early detection which prevents chronic conditions and diseases. Earlier diagnoses can lead to the cure of some conditions and prevent other chronic conditions from developing. Many health screenings are available; however, a few key screenings every man should know about and understand are blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes screenings. 

5 Key Screenings

Blood Pressure

People with high blood pressure often do not experience any symptoms and are unaware that they have the condition. This sets them up for developing other conditions or the worsening of conditions they may already have. Having high blood pressure is connected to heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. All adult men should be screened for high blood pressure but those with a family history and other high-risk factors (e.g., age, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption, inadequate sleep, high stress situations/environments) are especially encouraged to take the necessary steps to get screened for high blood pressure. Men between the ages of 18-39 are recommended to be screened every 3-5 years. Men who are 40 or above and those who are considered high risk are recommended to receive blood pressure screenings annually.

Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a significant contributor to heart disease. Much like high blood pressure, many men are unaware that they have elevated cholesterol levels which increase their risk for heart disease. It is for this reason that men should begin cholesterol screenings early in adulthood. The cholesterol screening is a simple blood test that measures low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride levels.  LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol as high levels lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. HDL is considered “good” cholesterol  as it helps to carry the bad cholesterol away from the arteries. Triglycerides is the type of fat stored by the body from unused calories. When this level gets too high, it can also increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

Colorectal Cancer

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and leading cause of cancer deaths affecting men. However, it is one of the most preventable cancers when detected early. A man’s risk for colon cancer increases with excess body weight, diabetes, smoking, diet of red/processed meat, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and family history. Colorectal cancer screening can identify precancerous polyps before they become cancerous. Men are recommended to be screened at age 45 and have repeated screenings every 10 years. Men with a higher risk level are encouraged to be screened earlier and more often than the recommended 45-year threshold for those with average risk. There are several screening options, and they include colonoscopy and stool-based tests. You are encouraged to discuss the benefits and limitations of each test with your doctor and receive medical advice as to which option is best for you.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death that affects men in the US. Early detection increases the survival rate immensely.  The American Cancer Society recommends screenings for average risk men begin at age 50 and between 40-45 for Black men or those with a strong family history which would place them in the high-risk category. Prostate cancer is screened by administering a prostate-specific antigen test known as the PSA blood test which tests the blood sample for elevated levels of prostate specific antigens. Elevated prostate specific antigens can signal a greater chance of cancer present. Another screening test that is often used for prostate cancer screening is the digital rectal exam. That test is a quick physical exam where a doctor gently feels for any prostate irregularities.⁷ 

Diabetes

Many people unknowingly have prediabetes or diabetes. Men experience many of the same general symptoms that women experience when they have diabetes. However, unlike women, men with lower weight have been diagnosed with diabetes. They also experience symptoms exclusive to males (e.g., erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, urologic issues, and fertility issues). Diabetes can lead to a plethora of serious complications (e.g., heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney damage, vision loss, nerve damage, acute complications–hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and skin infections) that can lessen one’s quality of life significantly.  The good news is that early detection can prevent serious complications. It is recommended that men begin diabetic screenings at 35 with repeated screenings every 3 years for those with normal results or annually if they have prediabetes. Men with a family history, obesity, or high blood pressure are recommended to be screened. The screening consists of  blood tests (e.g., A1C, fasting plasma glucose [FPG], random blood sugar test) that measures the body’s blood glucose levels. 

Preventive screenings are important in producing positive health outcomes for men. Men can protect their health by scheduling and attending their annual wellness visits. To all the men out there, when was your last wellness visit? Did you receive any preventive screenings? If it has been a while, schedule a conversation with your doctor and take the next step toward better health today. Better yet, schedule some screenings.

References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts for Men. http://www.cancer.org. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/understanding-cancer-risk/cancer-facts/cancer-facts-for-men.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and Men. Diabetes. Published May 31, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/diabetes-and-men.html
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing for Cholesterol. Cholesterol. Published May 20, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/testing/index.html
4. Gunja M, Gumas E, Williams R. Are Financial Barriers Affecting the Health Care Habits of American Men? http://www.commonwealthfund.org. Published July 14, 2022. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2022/jul/are-financial-barriers-affecting-health-care-habits-american-men
5. Hing E, Albert M. Products – Data Briefs – Number 234 – January 2016. http://www.cdc.gov. Published June 8, 2019. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db234.html
6. Mayo Clinic . Cholesterol test – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Published February 24, 2023. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholesterol-test/about/pac-20384601
7. Prostate Cancer Screening. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-screening
8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. High blood pressure – causes and risk factors. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Published 2024. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure/causes
9. Villafuerte V. Understanding men’s health risks: Why many avoid the doctor’s office, according to a UCLA urologist. Uclahealth.org. Published August 2024. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/understanding-mens-health-risks-why-many-avoid-doctors
10. Why men should prioritize preventive health care | Point32Health. Point32health.org. Published 2024. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.point32health.org/newsroom/points-of-view/why-men-should-prioritize-preventive-health-care
11. Xu J, Murphy S, Kochanek KD, Arias E. Mortality in the United States, 2024. Published online January 29, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174641

Resources

American Cancer Society Free Screening Resources