8 lifesaving tests for men

There is an inherent logic to preventative health measures and disease prevention. It seems more sensible to prevent the occurrence of diseases, or stop them early in their natural history, than to delay treatment until the disease has resulted in irreversible damage to the body.

Yet thousands of Americans suffer from chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, renal failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes despite current screening tests and known risk reductions.

There are basic guidelines for most screening tests. Below are the recommendations of Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP), a program featuring tools for tracking preventative medicine services in the physician's office as well as patient and professional education about disease prevention.

PPIP, a pilot program partnered by Glendale Memorial and CareAmerica. Follows criteria recommended by such major medical authorities as the American Academy of Family Practice and American Cancer Society.

”Be aware your unique hereditary and history may make you more vulnerable to certain disease.” Says Neskovic. “It is important your personal physician knows this so they can adjust the screening to appropriate levels.“

The following are tests men can't live without:

Blood pressure
Approximately 50 million American have elevated blood pressure warranting monitoring or drug therapy. Treatment for hypertension is very effective. Left untreated, however, it can increase the risk of stroke, coronary artery disease and kidney disease. Blood pressure should be measured at least every other year throughout life.

Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease. Guidelines recommend a blood test in which levels of total cholesterol are measured. If results are within normal limits, retesting is not needed for five years. If results are not within normal ranges, your physician will recommend an appropriate schedule for retesting.

Fecal Occult Blood Test
This test requires following a special diet and collecting stool samples over a three day period. The samples are tested for blood from premalignant growths or colorectal cancers. This test is recommended once every one to three years fro those over the age of 50.

Sigmoidoscopy
In this procedure, a flexible illuminating tube is inserted into the rectum and colon. This allows the physician to identify suspicious lesions and biopsy them. This test is recommended every three to five years over the age of 50.

Skin Examinations
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It is recommended that patients should undergo an examination of the skin every three years for those between the ages of 20 to 39 years of age, and yearly after age 40. This exam is a relatively simple test in which the physician looks for signs of skin cancer.

Digital Rectal Exam
This exam screens the patient for both prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States and prostate cancer the second most common cancer in men. Major health authorities believe this exam should be part of the periodic health examination. Performed every one to three years for those over the age of 50.

Prostate-Specific Antigen
This test also screens for prostate cancer. Although there has been some controversy surrounding the necessity of this test, recommendations have been made for men to undergo this test every year after the age of 50.

Aspirin Prophylaxis
Studies have shown low-dose aspirin to significantly decrease the incidence of first myocardial infarction in men. This prophylactic treatment is recommended in patients over 40 years of age with risk factors for coronary heart disease. The decision to begin taking aspirin should be made only after consultation by each individual with their physician.