What Health Checks Should Men Get?
Regular health check-ups are crucial for men to maintain optimal health and detect potential issues early on. Men's annual health check-ups involve a series of tests and screenings aimed at assessing various aspects of men’s physical and mental wellbeing. These check-ups play a vital role in preventive care, helping men stay informed about their health status and take proactive steps to address any concerns.
From blood pressure and cholesterol screenings to cancer screenings and vision tests, men's health testing encompasses a wide range of evaluations tailored to meet individual needs and risk factors. By prioritising a regular men’s health check, men can take charge of their health and ensure they are on the path to a healthier and happier life.
Our Full Body Men’s Health Check is a quick, easy, and accurate way to monitor your health and identify any issues that typically affect men. Many additional individual tests can be added to our health packages in case you want to test for something specific.
Explore our packages and book online today.
Why are Men’s Health Checks important?
Undergoing regular health check-ups is recommended for adults of all genders. However, due to biological differences, men may face unique health risks and conditions compared to women. As such, men's health testing is tailored to address the specific health concerns and conditions that are more prevalent among males.
By focusing on identifying and addressing the most common health issues affecting men, these health tests and screenings aim to promote early detection, prevention, and management of male-specific health conditions. Through proactive health monitoring and targeted interventions, men can safeguard their wellbeing and enjoy a healthier life.
Annual men’s health testing can help you:
Monitor your health status: Regular testing allows you to track changes in your health over time, helping you stay informed about your overall wellbeing.
Detect any health conditions early: Early detection of health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cancer can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved prognosis.
Take control of your own health: By undergoing men’s health testing, you empower yourself to take proactive steps towards managing your health and making informed decisions about your lifestyle and healthcare.
Calm any health worries: Testing can provide reassurance by confirming good health or identifying areas that may require attention, alleviating anxiety and uncertainty.
Make lifestyle changes to improve your health: Armed with information from health tests, you can make targeted lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, or quitting smoking to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Essential Health Checks for Men
Taking control of your health is a proactive step, but navigating the world of health checks can feel overwhelming. However, for men's health, certain tests are considered essential for routine check-ups. These tests play a crucial role in assessing and monitoring men's overall wellbeing and detecting potential health issues early on.
Blood Pressure Check
An essential test for all adults, a blood pressure check can help identify the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If your blood pressure is revealed to be too high, treatments are available to manage it and lower the risk of more serious health conditions.
Normal blood pressure typically falls around 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or lower. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a reading above this figure. Factors that may increase your risk of developing high blood pressure include:
- Age, as the risk increases as we get older
- Being overweight
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking tobacco or vaping
- High alcohol intake
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Diet high in sodium
- Not getting enough potassium
Cholesterol Check
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is essential for your body to work effectively. However, a buildup of too much cholesterol in the body can lead to the onset of certain health conditions.
Often referred to as HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein), cholesterol levels are split into two categories. During a Cholesterol Test, it is a high LDL cholesterol level result that may be a cause for concern. A high LDL cholesterol blood test result indicates an increased risk of serious health conditions such as coronary heart disease. This is because LDL cholesterol clings to the artery wall and gradually builds up, restricting arterial flexibility and the flow of blood.
Ideally, a total cholesterol reading of 5 mmol/L or less is considered a healthy level. Should your result read above this number, then lifestyle changes and treatment should be undertaken to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
Diabetes Screening
If you are a man nearing the age of 45, it is advisable to undergo a diabetes screening if you haven't already done so. Additionally, if you have increased risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity, you may be recommended to take the test earlier. A diabetes test is a crucial component of men's health checks, especially for those with predisposing factors.
When detected early, diabetes can be managed, allowing blood sugar levels to return to a non-diabetic range. This can be achieved through dietary and lifestyle modifications or with the help of medication. By identifying diabetes at an early stage, it can be effectively managed, thereby reducing the risk of developing other associated health complications.
Prostate Screening
Around the age of 50, an essential men’s health check-up is the prostate screening. Checking on the health of the prostate gland is usually carried out through a blood test and/ or a rectal exam.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test detects levels of proteins found in the blood produced by the prostate gland. The prostate is involved in the production of seminal fluid as part of the male reproductive system. High PSA levels may indicate cancer of the prostate gland, although there are other reasons why a PSA level may be high. A high PSA level may lead to the recommendation of further testing to rule out cancer.
Essential Health Checks for Men 65+
In addition to testing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes and prostate screenings, there are certain health checks that are recommended as we age. Men’s health check ups for those aged over 65 years should typically include:
Testicular Exams
Checking the testicles regularly for lumps is a good first step to understanding your body and what is normal for you. If you encounter any lumps and are concerned, contact your GP. Whilst not all lumps and changes to your testicles may be an indication of cancer, getting an expert opinion will give you peace of mind.
Bowel Cancer Screening
For UK residents aged 60 and over, Bowel Cancer Risk Tests are advised to rule out the presence of polyps or growths that may turn into cancer. Blood in the stool can be a sign of bowel cancer. As bowel cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer, regular testing can help catch it quickly so you can take appropriate action.
Eye Test
The eyes are particularly susceptible to the effects of ageing, which is why regular eye tests are important. An eye test can detect the beginnings of eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Glaucoma, a pressure build up that leads to damage of the optic nerve, can be managed with eye drops if caught early enough. Macular degeneration is an age-related disease of the retina. Timely diagnosis is essential to ensure that eyesight is saved or that the effects on quality of life are minimised.
Hearing Test
As we age, hearing loss is common and can result from wear and tear, prolonged exposure to loud noise, and genetic factors. Undergoing a hearing test can confirm if your hearing ability is diminishing gradually over time. Based on the results, a healthcare professional can recommend appropriate treatment options, such as hearing aids, to enhance your quality of life.
Heart ECG Test
An ECG Test involves placing electrodes on the body in order to record the heart’s rate and rhythm. Any abnormalities detected are picked up on the trace or image of your heartbeat. By undergoing an ECG, you can get a better idea of your risk of heart related health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
Liver Function
Liver Function Tests analyse the levels of certain markers in the blood to determine if there are any issues in the way your liver works. The test checks ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), Gamma GT (Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), and Bilirubin levels in your blood to understand if you have a normal liver function.
Skin Cancer Check
More than a quarter of all skin cancer cases in the UK were diagnosed in adults aged 75 and over. Becoming more aware of changes to the body as we age can help to detect signs of cancer and other serious conditions in time.
If you have noticed new moles or marks on your body or changes to your existing ones, getting a healthcare professional to take a look at them is a good first step. If they suspect that these changes may be a sign of skin cancer, you will be referred to a specialist to investigate further.
Lung Function
Respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can affect lung function. A Lung Function Test can be used to assess whether your lungs are working as they should and alert you of any possible lung-related health issues.
Men’s Cancer Checks
Men aged 40 and over are advised to undergo cancer checks, as detecting cancer early can lead to better recovery and survival outcomes. The most common cancers for men in the UK are prostate, lung and bowel cancers. Therefore, assessing your risk for these common cancers is essential for early detection and quick treatment.
A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test is a simple blood test that checks for raised levels of PSA, which may indicate prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. Testing for another common cancer, bowel cancer, can be done through a take-home qFIT Test. This stool sample test is taken at home and sent off for analysis, checking for signs of bowel cancer. Both of these tests and more cancer risk screenings are included as part of Bluecrest’s Male Cancer Risk + Complete (over 40’s) health checks.
Bluecrest’s Male Cancer Risk + Complete (over 40s)health check combines all the tests featured in the Complete Health MOT along with the Male Cancer Risk package. For a comprehensive assessment of your cancer risk and general health status, book this premium package today.
Full Body Health Checks for complete peace of mind
Our full body men's health checks are designed for busy men who want to take control of their health. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, no invasive procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.
Trained healthcare professionals carry out all tests in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, so you get accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home. Our private health checks include all the tests you need to take a proactive approach to monitoring and improving your health.
Many individual tests can be added to any full body health check. Just book one of our full body private health assessments and call us before your appointment to add an extra test.
How it works
1. Select and book your package
View our health test packages and book a full body private health check. All our individual tests can be added to any of our private health check packages. . Just call our team on 0800 652 2183 before your appointment to add an extra test.
2. Make an appointment
Choose the venue, date and time that suits you. With over 2000 appointments available nationwide every week, you're sure to find a convenient time, date and venue.
3. Attend your appointment
A trained health assessment specialists will carry out your blood test. The whole process only takes around 20 - 30 minutes.
4. Fast, accurate results
Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.
