2022 PCRI MEN’S HEALTH FAIR
AIRED: JUNE 25, 2022 | 8:30 AM PDT

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This checklist highlights basic elements of an annual physical exam for men with prostate cancer (and aging men in general) to avoid preventable problems with your health. Prostate cancer usually acts more like a chronic condition than a terminal illness. So it is important not to overlook your general health by being too narrowly focused on prostate cancer. This checklist is intended to give you an overview of what to check during an annual physical.

DOWNLOAD OUR MEN’S HEALTH BROCHURE

This checklist describes basic elements of an annual physical exam for men with prostate cancer (and aging men in general). Every man age 40 and above should have an annual physical, including a skin exam, an eye exam, and blood tests.  Annual flu vaccines are advisable. Prevnar-13 and Pneumovax are once-in-a-lifetime vaccines recommended for patients over 65 to reduce the risk of pneumonia. The Zostavax vaccine is recommended to prevent shingles in men who have previously had chickenpox. Men over 50 should strongly consider obtaining a CT scan to check for plaque on the coronary arteries. If there is significant plaque, aspirin, cholesterol pills, and an annual stress test needs to be discussed. Men who smoke, or who have quit smoking in the last 15 years, should have annual CT of the chest. Lung cancer can only be cured if it is detected early. Men over age of 50 (or earlier with a family history) can dramatically reduce their risk of dying from colon cancer by doing a colonoscopy or a Cologuard stool test. Lastly, men over age 70, or men who have undergone previous treatment with testosterone inactivating pharmaceuticals, are at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can only be detected by doing a bone density scan.  

Many problems (including prostate cancer) don’t cause symptoms until the condition becomes advanced. Waiting until “something hurts” is the old-fashioned way to do medical care. Modern technology is changing the game. Live longer by diagnosing problems early, before they create symptoms and get out of control.