<< Back

Men: Cancer Screenings You’ll Need, By Age

July 16, 2018

Worried about cancer? Click here to get a call back from one of our cancer experts. 

When it comes to cancer, the best defense is often an offense in the form of routine screenings, especially since many cancers grow long before you’ll experience or recognize a symptom.

Screenings can include bloodwork, diagnostic imaging tests, a physical exam or a look at your personal and family health history. Most can be ordered by your primary care physician. Federal guidelines help us understand the peak risk period for certain cancers and screenings are recommended at those ages, which can differ based on your family history and gender.

Here are recommended cancer screenings for men (click here for cancer screenings for women):

[huge_it_gallery id=”106″]

Age 21-29

• Colorectal Cancer – Talk to your healthcare provider about screening if you are at higher than average risk because of family history or genetic disorders.
• Testicular Cancer – Men should do monthly self-exams for testicular lumps. Testicular cancer is very curable when found early.
• Skin Cancer – Your doctor might recommend screening based on your risk factors, including sun exposure and complexion.

Age 30-39

• Colorectal Cancer – If you are at higher than average risk for colon cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about when to start testing and what tests are right for you.
• Skin Cancer – Your doctor might recommend screening based on your risk factors, including sun exposure and complexion.

Age 40-49

• Colorectal Cancer – Everyone at average risk should start testing at age 45. Talk with your healthcare provider about which tests are best for you. If no issues are identified, you can screen every 10 years.
• Prostate – If you are at higher than average risk (African-American or have a father, brother or son with prostate cancer), talk with your healthcare provider starting at age 45 about testing to decide if you want to be tested.
• Skin Cancer – Your doctor might recommend screening based on your risk factors, including sun exposure and complexion.

Worried about cancer? Click here to get a call back from one of our cancer experts. 

Age 50-64

• Colorectal Cancer – All people at average risk should start testing at age 45. Talk with your healthcare provider if you haven’t started yet. If no issues are identified, you can screen every 10 years.
• Prostate Cancer – Starting at age 50, all men at average risk should talk with a healthcare provider about testing.
• Lung Cancer – If you are age 55 or older and are an active or former smoker (quit within the last 15 years), talk to your healthcare provider about your smoking history and whether you should get an annual low-dose CT scan to screen for early lung cancer.
• Skin Cancer – Your doctor might recommend screening based on your risk factors, including sun exposure and complexion.

Age 65 and older

• Colorectal Cancer – Testing is recommended through age 75. If you are aged 76 to 85, talk with your healthcare provider about continued screening. Most people over the age of 85 should no longer need to be screened.
• Prostate Cancer – Your healthcare provider will use your overall health status, not age alone, to guide decisions about prostate cancer screening.
• Lung Cancer – Talk to your healthcare provider about your smoking history and whether you should get an annual low-dose CT scan to screen for early lung cancer.
• Skin Cancer – Your doctor might recommend screening based on your risk factors, including sun exposure and complexion.

Worried about cancer? Click here to get a call back from one of our cancer experts.