Routine Checks (Men)

Overview of health checks for men at your IPSA clinic

Men should always have regular health check-ups. Your IPSA clinic offers confidential medical check-ups for men, as these help you to stay healthy, and during your check-up, early warning signs of disease or of illness can be picked up. Certain issues, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, some forms of cancer, and diabetes can be picked up in the early stages, and this means that treatment is usually more successful.

When you have your male health check at your IPSA clinic, your IPSA physician will talk to you regarding:

• Your medical history
• Your family’s disease history
• Your lifestyle
• Your diet
• Your weight
• How much you exercise
• Whether (or not) you smoke

If you present with any high-risk factors like a family history of a particular disease, then it can sometimes mean that you have a higher chance of developing that particular disease. Having regular check-ups helps your IPSA clinician to pick up any early warning signs. For example, if you have high blood pressure then this may be an early warning sign of heart (cardiovascular) disease.

During your check-up, your IPSA doctor will carry out an examination of you based on your signs/symptoms/history, and if required, will request that some further investigations be carried out (such as scanning or blood tests) to provide you with a full health screen.

Based on both your results and current lifestyle, your IPSA clinician will then give you both advice and tips on keeping healthy at home, including how to undertake skin checks and testicular checks.

All IPSA medical consultations are adapted to the individual and to their presenting symptoms, so your IPSA doctor will decide which areas to focus on, discussing his decision fully with you, and this will depend on your risk factors, lifestyle, family history and presenting symptoms.

What types of tests will I be given during my IPSA health check-up?

Some of the typical male health checks that may be carried out and/or recommended during your IPSA consultation are listed below:

Blood pressure: If you have normal blood pressure, have no family history of high blood pressure and are over 40, then have your blood pressure checked once a year. You should have your blood pressure checked every 6 months if your blood pressure is raised, if you are over 40, or if you present with a personal and/or family history of strokes/heart attacks or high blood pressure.

Blood tests: These tests are done to check both your cholesterol levels and your blood triglycerides, as well as other things. High levels might be an indicator for an increased risk of some health problems such as heart disease. Your IPSA physician will usually recommend that you have a yearly blood test to prevent future problems from developing.

Obesity tests: Being overweight significantly increases your risk for numerous health conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): This is a painless, non-invasive medical test to detect heart (cardiac) abnormalities. The ECG is used to measure the electrical activity that is generated by your heart as it contracts. If you are over 50 then your IPSA physician might recommend that you have an ECG test every 2 to 5 years, and this will depend on your medical history and current health.

Diabetes check: Diabetes tests include your fasting blood-sugar level that measures the glucose present in your blood after you have not eaten for a set time.

The type 2 diabetes risk factors include:

• Being a smoker
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Having high blood pressure
• Having pre-diabetes (which is slightly raised blood glucose levels)
• Being overweight/obese
• Being over 45
• Having high cholesterol levels
• Having a sedentary lifestyle
• Coming from some particular ethnic backgrounds
• Having a history of strokes, heart attacks or angina (chest pain)

Prostate cancer check: Your IPSA physician will determine if this test is required depending on your symptoms, history, and family history. He might discuss your prostate cancer risk with you and the test for prostate cancer.

The test can involve your IPSA doctor inserting a lubricated/gloved finger into your anus. This is to feel for any changes to your prostate gland. This will also be combined with blood tests, including what is called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

If you do have a family history of any kind of cancer, not just prostate cancer, then you might need to have the PSA test and a digital test regularly after you turn 40. Ask your IPSA doctor for advice.

Bowel cancer check: A faecal occult blood test (FOBT) employs certain chemicals to check for any blood in your stool (poo) sample. If you are over 50 years old then you should have the FOBT test every 2 years, or if you are over 40 with a family history of bowel cancer.

Men who are at high risk of getting bowel cancer might need to have a colonoscopy every 5 years.

Eye check: The eyesight often deteriorates as we age. Some serious eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy become more common as we age. Men over 60 should have an annual eye exam. However, your IPSA physician may recommend more frequent testing if you present with certain risk factors, which include:

• A family history of eye disease
• Some medical conditions (for example, diabetes or high blood pressure)
• A personal history of eye injury/disease
• Taking certain medications

Other health topics that might be discussed during your IPSA consultation

• Any unusual symptoms that you may be having
• Your immunisation status
• Any alcohol/drug issues
• Any mental health issues (e.g. depression)
• Sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction
• Any injuries
• Problems with your relationship

At the end of your IPSA consultation, your IPSA doctor might be able to help you directly, either with medication, or by referring you for further investigations/scans. If necessary, your IPSA physician will book a review appointment, and this will depend on your diagnosis. Sometimes, your IPSA doctor might refer to you a specialist for diagnosis/treatment, and any referrals will be arranged immediately at your IPSA clinic on the day of your consultation.

To book your men’s health check-up at your IPSA clinic, simply call your nearest IPSA clinic or book online.