Rio Grande Cancer Foundation
1 min read
6 months ago
Men’s Health tip No.8: Guidance for young men (18-39)
Men in the 18-39 age range are encouraged to discuss the health concerns below with their doctors. These discussions can be part of a yearly annual wellness visit. While you may think you don’t need some of these tests, establishing a base line can be useful for continued health monitoring as you age, or as more acute health concerns arise.
Screening recommendation for young men (18-39)
Physical exam: check blood pressure, screen for obesity and assess body composition (waist circumference). Testicular exam and testicular self-exam are important at this age. Metabolic screening: fasting blood sugar and fasting lipid profile based on risk and family history. Vaccines: influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis A/B, HPV, Tdap and MMR should be considered. STI screening: HIV, Hepatitis B/C, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia screening should be considered, and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PreP) should be discussed. Assessment of risky behaviors: discuss any use of tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs, anabolic steroids, as well as use of seatbelts and helmets and gun safety. Family planning: “pre-conception” counseling to educate men that adopting a healthy lifestyle—exercising, eating healthy foods, and avoiding substances—at an early age improves the chances of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.
