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These are the immunizations and screenings men in every age group should have done

Are you up-to-date on your immunizations and screenings?

DENVER — It’s Men’s Health Week. Are you up-to-date on your immunizations and screenings? 

Here’s your quick list of men’s health recommendations based on your age.

20s & 30s

Immunizations:

  • Flu annually
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine
  • Tetanus plus diphtheria and pertussis just once after age 19. Then, just tetanus-diphtheria booster every ten years.

Screening tests:

  • Sexually transmitted infections (STI) annually
  • Blood pressure every two years
  • Cholesterol, especially if you have a strong family history or other risk factors for heart  disease or stroke checked every five years
  • Consider diabetes screening based on risk factor discussion with your doctor

40s & 50s

Immunizations:

  • Flu shot annually
  • Tetanus-diphtheria booster every ten years
  • Shingles/Herpes Zoster shot starting at age 50

Screenings:

  • Blood pressure annually
  • Cholesterol every five years, or sooner if you have risk factors
  • Diabetes screening every three years by age 45 years old, sooner if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure or obesity
  • Prostate cancer screening guidelines can vary. You may need prostate cancer screening by age 45 years old if you are African-American or have a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65 years old. Most commonly, a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be done annually.
  • Colon cancer screening on a regular basis (based on the type of test) by 50 years old. May be earlier depending on family history and risk factors.
  • If you are with the same partner you do not need STI screening. If you have multiple partners, then STI screening annually.

60+

Immunizations:

  • Flu shot annually
  • Pneumonia vaccine at age 65 years old
  • Tetanus-diphtheria booster every ten years
  • Shingles/Herpes Zoster shot if you have not had it

Screening tests:

  • Blood pressure annually
  • Cholesterol every five years, or sooner if you have risk factors
  • Diabetes screening every three years
  • Osteoporosis screening with bone density testing starting at age 70. May be earlier if you have had fractures, smoked or been on long-term steroids.
  • Colon cancer screening on a regular basis (based on the type of test). After 75 years old, discuss if you still need screening with your doctor.
  • At age 70, discuss whether you need prostate cancer screening. Could be more harmful to screen at this age.
  • If you are with the same partner, you do not need STI screening. If you have multiple partners, then STI screening annually.
  • Lung cancer screening with CT scans if you have a 30 pack per year history of smoking and have quit smoking within 15 years or are currently smoking.
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening if you are between 65 and 75 years old and have smoked. Discuss with your doctor if you need an ultrasound based on your risk factors.

Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter. Have a medical question or health topic idea? Email Dr. Comilla at comilla.sasson@9news.com

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