Prevention Guidelines for Men 40 to 49
Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most men ages 40 to 49 need. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to reduce the risk of disease, or to detect it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not considered diagnostic, but are used to determine if more testing is needed. Although you and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you, this plan can guide your discussion.
Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal*
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg*
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider
All men in this age group
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
All men beginning at age 45 and men without symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes
At least every 3 years (annually if blood sugar is already rising)
High cholesterol and triglycerides
All men ages 35 and older, and younger men at high risk for coronary artery disease
Starting at age 45, talk to healthcare provider about risks and benefits of digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening***
Men of average risk ages 45 and older
Several tests are available and used at different times.
Possible tests include:
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Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (or every 10 years with yearly FIT stool test), or
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CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years, or
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Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
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Yearly fecal occult blood test, or
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Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT), or
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Stool DNA test, every 1 to 3 years
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Talk with your doctor about which tests are best for you.
Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family health history. Talk with your provider about your health history.
Anyone at increased risk for infection
Anyone at increased risk for infection
Check with your healthcare provider
Every 2 to 4 years if no risk factors for eye disease
Adults who are overweight or obese
When diagnosed and at routine exams
Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular problems
Men ages 45 to 79, when potential benefits from a decrease in heart attacks outweigh the harm or risks from an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage
When diagnosed with risk for cardiovascular/heart disease; check with your healthcare provider before starting
Sexually transmitted infection prevention
Anyone at increased risk for infection
Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Td/Tdap) booster
Td: every 10 years
Tdap: substitute a 1-time dose of Tdap for a Td booster after age 18, then boost with Td every 10 years
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccines**
All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccines**
2 doses; the second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose
Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community
2 doses given at least 6 months apart
3 doses; the second dose should be given 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose should be given at least 2 months after the second dose (or at least 4 months after the first dose)
Haemophilus influenza Type B (HIB)
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
PCV13: 1 dose ages 19 to 65 (protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria)
PPSV23: 1 to 2 doses through age 64, or 1 dose at 65 or older (protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria)
*Recommendation from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
**Exceptions may exist; discuss with your healthcare provider
***National Comprehensive Cancer Network
1Recommendation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
2For complete list, see the CDC website
3For complete list, see the CDC website
4For complete list, see the CDC website
Screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Immunization schedule from the CDC