Health checks men should have

Disease or condition Who should be tested or examined? Test or examination Frequency Guideline

Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) People aged 50-74 years (those at increased risk should start screening earlier – talk to your doctor) Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), also known as FIT (faecal immunochemical test) Every 2 years (may be different for people at increased risk – ask your doctor) RACGP 2016; Cancer Council Australia 2017

Certain people at increased risk of bowel cancer Colonoscopy Depends on the risk RACGP 2016; Cancer Council Australia 2017

High blood pressure People aged 18 years and older Blood pressure measurement At least every 2 years RACGP 2016

High cholesterol People aged 45 years and older; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 35 years and older Cholesterol and triglyceride blood tests Every 5 years National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance 2012; RACGP 2016

Cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke Risk assessment should be done in people from the age of 45 years (35 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults) Risk assessment includes tests such as: cholesterol blood test, urine protein and albumin test, electrocardiogram (ECG), waist circumference and BMI measurements Depends on initial risk assessment

Low risk: every 2 years

Moderate risk: every 6-12 months

High risk: regular review as advised by your doctor National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance 2012

Dental health People of all ages Check-up with dentist or oral check (examination of the mouth, teeth and lips) with GP In general, oral checks at least once a year. People at increased risk should have more frequent check-ups with a doctor or dentist RACGP 2016

Diabetes: type 2 People aged 40 years and older and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 and over Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (questionnaire given by your doctor) Every 3 years Diabetes Australia 2016-17; NHMRC 2009; RACGP 2016

People at high risk of type 2 diabetes Fasting blood sugar (glucose) test or HbA1c test (glycated haemoglobin blood test) Every 1 to 3 years (depending on risk) Diabetes Australia 2016-17; NHMRC 2009; RACGP 2016

Glaucoma People at increased risk of glaucoma, including Caucasian and Asian people older than 50 years; people of African descent older than 40 years; and people with a first-degree relative with glaucoma (eye checks should start 10-15 years earlier than the age their relative was diagnosed). Eye health check by optometrist or ophthalmologist Regular eye checks should be done after the first examination – your doctor will tell you how often you need to have eye checks. NHMRC 2010; RACGP 2016

Hearing impairment People aged 65 years and older Hearing assessment Every 12 months RACGP 2016

Kidney disease People at high risk, including those who: smoke; are obese; have a family history of kidney failure; have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or blood vessel disease; have had a kidney problem in the past; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples older than 30 years. Kidney Health Check: blood pressure check; urine test to detect a protein called albumin; and a blood test to estimate kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate – eGFR) Every 1-2 years RACGP 2016; Kidney Health Australia 2015

Osteoporosis Men older than 50 years with no history of fractures but who have certain risk factors for osteoporosis, such as: family history of osteoporosis; smoking; recurrent falls; drinking more than 2 standard drinks of alcohol per day;

vitamin D deficiency; low BMI; and low levels of physical activity. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to measure bone density Depends on initial scan results RACGP 2016; Osteoporosis Australia 2017

Overweight Adults aged 18 years and over BMI and waist circumference measurement Every 2 years for those at average risk. Every year for those at increased risk RACGP 2016

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) All sexually active people under the age of 30 years Chlamydia testing (urine or swab test) Recommended testing frequency depends on level of risk RACGP 2016

People at high risk of STIs (risk factors include age, sexual habits and local community infection rates) Chlamydia testing and possibly testing for gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis Depends on level of risk RACGP 2016

Skin cancer – melanoma People at average or increased risk Skin examination by your doctor or dermatologist No set schedule RACGP 2016

People at high risk of melanoma (people with a history of melanoma and those with more than 5 moles with an unusual appearance) Skin examination by your doctor or dermatologist PLUS self-examinations of skin Skin self-examinations every 3 months.

Full body skin examinations by your doctor are recommended every 6-12 months RACGP 2016

Testicular cancer All men Cancer Council Australia recommends that all men become familiar with the usual feel of their testicles and to see their doctor if they notice a change, lump or swelling Cancer Council Australia 2015

Men with a family history of testicular cancer (father or brother) or a personal history of undescended testicles Testicular examination No set interval Cancer Council Australia 2015

Tests which are controversial or not recommended in the general well population

Prostate cancer Routine population-based screening of all men with PSA tests is not currently recommended. Men should discuss the risks and benefits of PSA testing with their doctor before deciding whether they should have this test. Men at average risk of prostate cancer who decide to have PSA screening tests can be offered testing from age 50 to 69.

For men older than 70, the harms of PSA screening tests may outweigh the benefits. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test Men at average risk of prostate cancer who decide to have PSA screening should be offered testing every 2 years Cancer Council Australia 2015; RACGP 2016