Prevention Guidelines for Men 50 to 64
Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most men ages 50 to 64 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 of average risk in this age group
According to the American Cancer Society:
Several tests are available and used at different times.
For tests that find polyps and cancer:
-
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years 1
, or
-
Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
-
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
For tests that primarily find cancer:
-
Yearly fecal occult blood test 2
, or
-
Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year 2
, or
-
Stool DNA test, every 3 years
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups. Talk with your healthcare provider about which test is best for you. Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family history. Talk with your provider about your health history.
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
Men at increased risk for infection – talk with your healthcare provider
At routine exams (All men age 50 to 70 should be tested once for hepatitis C.)
High cholesterol and triglycerides
Adults age 50 to 80 who have smoked
Yearly screening in smokers with 20 pack-year history of smoking or who quit within 15 years
All men in this age group (3)
Every year, to help find out if you are at a healthy weight for your height
Starting at age 45, talk to health care provider about risks and benefits of digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening***
Anyone at increased risk for infection
Anyone at increased risk for infection
Check with your healthcare provider
All men in this age goupr 3
Ask your healthcare provider if you need glaucoma screening with a dilated eye exam every 2 years
Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events
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
Adults who are overweight or obese
When diagnosed and at routine exams
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)
Men in this age group through their late 50s who have no previous infection or record of vaccines**
1 or 2 doses; check with your healthcare provider
Adults ages 50 to 64 who have no previous infection or record of vaccines**
2 doses; second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose
Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community
2 or 3 doses (depending on the vaccine) given at least 6 months apart; check with your healthcare provider
2 or 3 doses (depending on the vaccine) over 6 months; check with your healthcare provider. 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 and at least 4 months after the first dose.
Haemophilus influenzae Type B (HIB)
Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY)
1 or more doses, depending on your case, then a booster every 5 years if you are still at risk; check with your healthcare provider
2 or more doses, depending on the vaccine and your case; check with your healthcare provider
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)
All men ages 50 and older**
2 doses given 2 to 6 months apart
All men ages 60 and older
*Recommendation from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
**Exceptions may exist; talk with your healthcare provider
***National Comprehensive Cancer Network
1
If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done
2
The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the healthcare provider in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.
3
Recommendation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
4
For complete list, see the CDC website
5
For complete list, see the CDC website
6
For complete list, see the CDC website
Screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Immunization schedule from the CDC
