Men’s health screenings by age follow a rough pattern: blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes checks begin in early adulthood, colorectal cancer screening starts at 45, and lung and prostate cancer conversations begin later for those at risk. Exactly which tests you need depends on your family history, lifestyle and existing conditions, so use this guide as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor.
Many men skip checkups until something hurts. Yet several of the most important screenings look for problems before symptoms appear, when treatment tends to work best. Below is an age-by-age overview based on guidance from groups such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society, with notes on where experts disagree.
Key Takeaways
- Most preventive services recommended by the USPSTF, such as blood pressure checks, colorectal screening and certain cancer screenings, are covered without cost sharing by many private plans when you use in-network providers.
- Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for average-risk adults starting at age 45.
- Prostate cancer screening (PSA) is an individual decision to discuss with your doctor, typically from age 55 to 69, or earlier if you are at higher risk.
- Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is for adults 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history who smoke or quit within 15 years.
- Family history, race, smoking and health conditions can change the schedule, so personalize it with a clinician.
Before the age breakdown: what a good checkup includes
Whatever your age, a yearly or periodic visit is a chance to review blood pressure, weight and BMI, vaccinations, medications, alcohol and tobacco use, mood, sleep, and any new symptoms. Tell your clinician about family history of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, since it can move your screening start date earlier.
Also ask about mental health. Depression and anxiety are common in men and often go unrecognized; a quick screening questionnaire at a primary care visit is routine. If you are struggling, our article on how to stop overthinking offers self-help ideas, and your doctor can connect you with care.
Men’s health screenings in your 20s and 30s
This is the decade for building a baseline.
- Blood pressure: at least every one to two years if normal, and more often if elevated. Normal is generally under 120/80 mm Hg.
- Cholesterol: guidelines vary, but many clinicians check a lipid panel at least once in early adulthood and repeat every 4 to 6 years, sooner with risk factors like family history or obesity.
- Diabetes screening: the USPSTF recommends screening adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or have obesity; earlier testing may be advised if you have risk factors such as a family history of diabetes.
- Skin checks: a doctor can examine moles or spots you are worried about. Know the warning signs: asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven color, a diameter larger than a pencil eraser, or a spot that changes.
- Testicular awareness: the USPSTF recommends against routine screening exams in men without symptoms, but you should see a doctor promptly for a lump, swelling, or heaviness in the scrotum.
- HIV and STI testing: the CDC recommends HIV screening at least once for adults 13 to 64, and more frequent testing for those with higher risk. Ask about other infections depending on your sexual history.
- Hepatitis B and C: one-time screening for hepatitis C is recommended for all adults 18 and older, and hepatitis B screening is advised for many adults at least once, according to current federal guidance.
- Dental and eye exams: regular dental cleanings help prevent gum disease; see our daily oral hygiene routine.
Screenings in your 40s
- Colorectal cancer screening at 45: both the USPSTF and the American Cancer Society now recommend starting at 45 for average-risk adults. Options include a yearly stool-based test (FIT), stool DNA tests every one to three years depending on the product, or a colonoscopy generally every 10 years if results are normal. Colonoscopy is also a diagnostic tool, so follow-up after an abnormal stool test is a different billing situation, which is worth asking your insurer about.
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes: continue and tighten. A cardiovascular risk calculator can help your doctor decide whether a statin or other treatment makes sense.
- Prostate cancer discussion: the American Cancer Society suggests talking about PSA testing at 45 for men at high risk, such as Black men or those with a father or brother diagnosed before age 65, and at 40 for those with multiple affected relatives.
- Vaccines: keep tetanus boosters current (every 10 years), and ask about flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines.
- Sleep and weight: mention loud snoring, daytime sleepiness or weight gain, which could point to sleep apnea or metabolic problems.
Screenings in your 50s
- Colorectal screening continues through age 75 under current USPSTF guidance.
- Prostate cancer (PSA): for ages 55 to 69, the USPSTF recommends an individual decision after discussing potential benefits and harms. Benefits include a small reduction in prostate cancer deaths; harms include false positives, biopsies and treatment of slow-growing cancers that might never have caused problems. Men with higher risk may start earlier.
- Lung cancer screening: annual low-dose CT scans are recommended for adults 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year equals smoking one pack a day for a year.
- Shingles vaccine: the CDC recommends the two-dose recombinant vaccine for adults 50 and older.
- Heart health: your doctor may use risk tools that combine age, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking status.
- Hearing and vision: get checked if you notice changes. Our review of whether vision insurance is worth it may help you plan.
Screenings at 60 and beyond
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): the USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
- Bone density: evidence is less settled for men, but your doctor may recommend testing if you have risk factors such as long-term steroid use, previous fractures, low body weight or certain conditions.
- Prostate screening: often stops after 70 for most men, according to USPSTF recommendations against routine screening at that age, although individual health matters.
- Colorectal screening: ages 76 to 85 should be an individual decision based on your health and prior screening history.
- Vaccines: pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for adults 50 and older under recent CDC guidance (check with your clinician for the current schedule), along with the RSV vaccine, which is recommended for adults 75 and older and for some younger adults at higher risk, and annual flu shots.
- Falls and cognition: ask about balance, memory changes and medication side effects.
- Medicare: if you are 65 or older, the Medicare “Welcome to Medicare” visit and annual wellness visit are useful touchpoints. See our comparison of Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare and the guide to Medicare Part D drug plans.
Quick reference table
| Screening | General starting point | How often (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18+ | Every 1 to 2 years if normal; more often if high |
| Cholesterol | Early adulthood; sooner with risk factors | Every 4 to 6 years, or as advised |
| Diabetes | 35 to 70 if overweight; earlier with risk | Every 3 years if normal, or as advised |
| Colorectal cancer | 45 | Depends on test; stool test yearly, colonoscopy about every 10 years |
| Prostate (PSA) | Discuss at 40 to 55 depending on risk | Decided with your doctor |
| Lung cancer (low-dose CT) | 50 to 80 with qualifying smoking history | Yearly |
| AAA ultrasound | 65 to 75 if ever smoked | Once |
| Hepatitis C | 18+ | At least once |
| HIV | 13 to 64 (and others at risk) | At least once; more if at risk |
Recommendations change as new evidence appears, and professional groups do not always agree, so confirm current guidance with your clinician.
Making the visit count
Write down your questions and your family history before you go, and bring a list of medications and supplements. Ask your doctor which screenings are due this year, which can wait, and why. If a test is recommended, ask what happens if the result is abnormal so you are not caught off guard. Booking the appointment while you are thinking about it, rather than waiting for symptoms, is the single most useful habit on this list.
Costs and coverage
Under the Affordable Care Act, most non-grandfathered private plans must cover services that receive an A or B grade from the USPSTF without copays or deductibles when delivered in-network. This includes many of the screenings above, but details matter. For example, a diagnostic follow-up (such as a polyp removal during a screening colonoscopy) may trigger cost sharing under some plans, though federal rules have narrowed this for colonoscopy after a positive stool test. Always call your insurer or check your plan documents before scheduling.
If you are uninsured or in a high-deductible plan, ask about cash prices. A high-deductible plan still covers recommended preventive care before the deductible is met in most cases, and an HSA can help with other costs. If you buy your own coverage, our guide to health insurance for the self-employed may be useful.
Symptoms that should not wait for a screening date
Screenings are for people without symptoms. See a clinician soon if you notice blood in your stool or urine, unexplained weight loss, a persistent cough or hoarseness, a lump in a testicle, trouble urinating, ongoing chest discomfort with exertion, severe fatigue, or a sore that does not heal. Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking, or severe headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
What screenings should a 30-year-old man get?
Blood pressure, a cholesterol baseline when appropriate, diabetes screening if risk factors are present, HIV and hepatitis C testing at least once, and a discussion of skin, mental health and vaccines.
At what age should men start colon cancer screening?
Age 45 for average risk. Those with a family history or certain conditions may need to start earlier.
When should a man get a PSA test?
This is an individual decision. Most guidance suggests talking with your doctor between ages 55 and 69, and earlier for higher-risk men.
How often should men get a physical?
Many clinicians suggest every one to three years for healthy adults, and annually as you age or if you have chronic conditions. Follow your doctor’s advice.
Do men need a testicular exam?
Routine screening in men without symptoms is not recommended by the USPSTF, but any lump or swelling needs prompt evaluation.
Are screenings free?
Many recommended screenings are covered at no cost to you with most private insurance when in-network, but follow-up tests may cost more. Verify with your plan.
What if I have a family history of cancer?
Tell your doctor. You may qualify to start screenings earlier or to be tested more often, and genetic counseling may be appropriate.
Should men get tested for low testosterone?
Not routinely. Testing is generally reserved for men with consistent symptoms and is interpreted with a clinician, since levels fluctuate and symptoms overlap with other conditions.
Bottom Line
Men’s health screenings by age start simple with blood pressure, cholesterol and infectious disease checks, then add colorectal screening at 45 and targeted tests for prostate, lung and aorta health as you get older. Because family history, smoking and medical conditions shift the timeline, bring this list to your next appointment and build a personal plan with your doctor.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Coverage rules, costs and guidelines change and vary by plan and state — consult a licensed healthcare professional or your insurer for guidance specific to your situation.
