Why screening tests are important

Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the most important things a man can do for his health. Screening helps identify diseases early when they're easier to treat. Early colon cancer can be cured. Finding diabetes early may help prevent complications such as vision loss and impotence. The tests you need are based on your age and your risk factors.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men in the UK. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but there are also aggressive, fast-growing types of prostate cancer. Screening tests may be offered based on risk factors and can help find the disease early, sometimes before symptoms develop, when treatments may be most effective.

Tests for prostate cancer

Screening for prostate cancer may include both a digital rectal examination (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Before you decide whether or not to have these tests, your doctor should talk to you about the advantages and disadvantages. The PSA result on its own can’t tell whether or not you have prostate cancer. A ‘normal’ PSA result does not completely rule it out.

Testicular cancer

This uncommon cancer develops in a man's testicles, the reproductive glands that produce sperm. It mostly affects younger men. Talk to your GP if you notice a lump or abnormality on or in your testicles. Most testicular lumps are not cancerous, but it is essential to get any abnormality checked. Men with a family history of testicular cancer or who have an undescended testicle are at a higher risk.

Bowel cancer

Bowel - or colorectal - cancer is the third most common cancer in men in England. The majority of bowel cancers slowly develop from colon polyps: growths on the inner surface of the colon. After cancer develops it can invade or spread to other parts of the body. A way to prevent bowel cancer is to find and remove colon polyps before they turn cancerous.

Tests for bowel cancer

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme recommends that everyone aged between 60 and 69 has a test every two years. Stool samples are tested and further tests given depending on the results. A colonoscopy is a common test for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer. A doctor views the entire colon using a flexible tube and a camera. Polyps can be removed at the time of the test. A similar alternative is a flexible sigmoidoscopy that examines only the lower part of the colon.

Skin cancer

The most dangerous form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma (shown here). It begins in specialised cells called melanocytes that produce skin colour. More men than women die from this potentially fatal form of skin cancer, possibly because men are less likely to check suspect moles. Your risk increases as lifetime exposure to sun and/or tanning beds accumulates. Sunburn increases risk.

Screening for skin cancer

Cancer Research UK urges men to keep an eye on mole changes of shape, colour and size. If there are concerns, men should see their GP.  Treatments for skin cancer are more effective and less disfiguring when it's found early.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Your risk of high blood pressure increases with age. It's also related to your weight and lifestyle. High blood pressure can lead to severe complications without any prior symptoms, including an aneurysm - dangerous ballooning of an artery. However, it can be treated. When it is, you may reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. The bottom line: know your blood pressure. If it's high, work with your GP to manage it.

Screening for high blood pressure

Blood pressure readings give two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. In between those two is pressure that is still considered normal but higher than is desirable and at greater risk of developing into high blood pressure. How often blood pressure should be checked depends on how high it is and what other risk factors you have.

Cholesterol levels

A high level of LDL cholesterol in the blood causes sticky plaque to build up in the walls of your arteries (seen here in lighter orange). This increases your risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis - narrowing of the arteries - can progress without symptoms for many years. Over time it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes and medication can reduce this "bad" cholesterol and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Testing cholesterol levels

The fasting blood lipid test is used to check your levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, HDL "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fat). The results tell you and your doctor a lot about what you need to do to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Anyone can have their blood cholesterol level tested, but it is more important if you are over 40, obese, have high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of heart problems.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes UK estimates 850,000 people in the UK have type 2 diabetes but don't know they have it. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina (shown here), nerve damage and impotence. However, this doesn't have to happen. Especially when found early, diabetes can be controlled and complications can be avoided with diet, exercise, weight loss and medication.

Screening for type 2 diabetes

A fasting blood glucose test is most often used to screen for diabetes. The HbA1c test tells how well your body has controlled blood sugar over time. The NHS Health Checks programme for people aged between 40 and 74, will help identify more people with type 2 diabetes. If you have a higher risk, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, your GP may suggest testing earlier and more frequently.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It's in the blood and other body secretions of infected individuals, even when there are no symptoms. It spreads from one person to another when these secretions come in contact with the penis, anal area, mouth, eyes or a break in the skin. There is still no cure or vaccine. Modern treatments can keep HIV infection from becoming AIDS, but these medications can have side effects.

HIV screening tests

HIV-infected individuals can remain symptom-free for many years. The only way to know they are infected is with a series of blood tests. If you were recently infected, you could still have a negative result, as the tests may not detect HIV until three months after infection. Repeat testing may be recommended. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, ask your GP, GUM clinic or sexual health charity about the tests.

Preventing the spread of HIV

Most newly infected individuals test positive by three months after infection. However, up to 5% are still negative after six months. Safe sex - abstinence or always using latex barriers such as a condom or a dental dam - is necessary to avoid getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have HIV and are pregnant, talk with your doctor about what needs to be done to reduce the risk of HIV infection in your unborn child. Drug users should not share needles.

Glaucoma

This group of eye diseases gradually damages the optic nerve and may lead to blindness - and significant, irreversible vision loss can occur before people with glaucoma notice any symptoms. Screening tests look for abnormally high pressure within the eye, to catch and treat the condition before damage to the optic nerve occurs.

Glaucoma Screening

Once you reach 40, you should have an eye test every two years. You should also have regular eye tests if you are over 30 and you have a parent, sister or brother with glaucoma. People of African, or African-Caribbean origin, tend to have a greater chance of developing glaucoma.

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