{"id":13699,"date":"2022-11-07T10:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=13699"},"modified":"2025-04-12T13:01:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T17:01:24","slug":"health-screening-tests-every-man-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/health-screening-tests-every-man-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Health screening tests every man needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Movember<\/a> is a month-long charity initiative that shines a light on men\u2019s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. You\u2019ll see men growing out their moustaches to raise money in support of the cause. And while raising funds is essential for research, getting people to talk about men\u2019s health is just as crucial.<\/p>\n

If you have health concerns or don\u2019t have a healthcare provider to check in with, Maple can help. Maple<\/a> is a telehealth platform with Canada\u2019s largest network of doctors and healthcare providers. You can speak to Canadian-licensed doctors<\/a> in minutes, 24\/7, from your phone, tablet, or computer.<\/p>\n

With Movember, and Canadian men being less likely to go to the doctor than women, it\u2019s important to know about the tests men shouldn\u2019t skip. The health screening appointments for men we discuss below are non-negotiable and a big step towards maintaining long-term health.<\/p>\n

Why should men see a healthcare provider regularly?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s tempting to wait until there\u2019s something wrong to see a doctor, but that\u2019s not all you can do to stay healthy. One of the keys to good health is preventative maintenance, like regular checkups and exams. You can miss the early signs of illness when you skip health tests and screenings.<\/p>\n

Catching illnesses early goes a long way toward favourable outcomes<\/a> when it comes to your health. Many diseases and other health concerns like certain cancers, diabetes, and high blood pressure in men can be prevented by seeing a healthcare provider. What may take only a few hours of your day could save your life.<\/p>\n

Common health issues and diseases that can be prevented with screening tests<\/h3>\n

To help avoid potentially serious problems in the future, we\u2019ve put together a list of common health issues and diseases that you can get tested for.<\/p>\n

High blood pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you have high blood pressure, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body. High blood pressure can be dangerous. Over time, it can lead to serious illnesses like heart disease and stroke<\/a>, dementia, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and more. And men are at an increased risk of it, with 50% having high blood pressure compared to 44% of women.<\/p>\n

Monitoring your blood pressure is helpful because if you catch it early, healthcare professionals can recommend many interventions to correct uncontrolled high blood pressure, which could prevent a stroke or heart disease in men.<\/p>\n

Diet changes, stress reduction, medication, and physical activity are all helpful solutions<\/a> to reduce your risk of stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.<\/p>\n

Men should get their blood pressure checked<\/a> at least once per year. If you\u2019ve had problems with your heart health in the past, you\u2019ll likely need to have more frequent tests.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re at it, it\u2019s important to check your heart\u2019s health. Your healthcare provider may listen to your heart and take your heart rate, or send you for a heart check-up like an electrocardiogram<\/a> or echocardiogram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

High cholesterol<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monitoring your cholesterol is key to maintaining your cardiovascular health. Men can have high cholesterol at any age. However, one study<\/a> showed that those aged 40 to 59 had an increased rate of high total cholesterol (16.5%) compared to those aged 20-39 (9.1%) and even men 60 and over (6.9%).<\/p>\n

There\u2019s more than one type of cholesterol, and not all cholesterol is dangerous. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is good, and having higher levels of this from things you eat in your diet can help lower the bad cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the type you don\u2019t want too much of in your bloodstream. High levels of (LDL) cholesterol contribute to heart disease<\/a>, and the buildup of plaque that blocks arteries and causes heart attacks or strokes.<\/p>\n

Screening for high cholesterol in men over 40<\/a> is crucial and should be done at least once. After that, an assessment of your personal and family history will help you and your healthcare provider decide how often to follow up.<\/p>\n

Testicular cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canadian men ages 18 to 34 years old are at the highest risk of testicular cancer<\/a>. Even if you\u2019re not within this age range, you\u2019ll still want to stay on top of your testicular health. It\u2019s estimated that about 1200 Canadian men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022 alone, and 35 of them will die from it. Early detection requires a team effort, and you\u2019ll need to do self-assessments and schedule an annual exam with a healthcare practitioner.
\nRisk factors<\/a> for testicular cancer include:<\/p>\n