Recommended comprehensive medical examination for men aged 40 to 64 years

ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is a quick and painless examination that can be used to examine almost all parts of the upper and lower abdomen and thus detect changes and diseases.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF COLON CANCER

• If you are younger than 45 and have a family history of colon cancer or polyps
• If you are between 45 and 75 years old, you should be screened using one or a combination of the available colon screening tests.

There are several screening tests available:

• Occult blood test
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or every 10 years with stool occult blood testing every year
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF LUNG CANCER

According to the guidelines of the Croatian Thoracic Society and the Section for Thoracic Radiology of the Croatian Society, MSCT with a low dose of radiation (low dose CT or abbreviated LDCT) should be used for screening in people who are at high risk of developing lung cancer:

• people aged 50-75 who are active smokers or who quit smoking within 15 years before screening, with a smoking history of at least 30 years (30 pack-years).

Guidelines from other international societies additionally recommend:

1. screening for smokers who currently smoke and have not quit smoking in the last 15 years
2. screening for people who were active smokers
3. people who have other risks for developing lung cancer (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD, people with a family history of lung cancer, and people who have been exposed to asbestos).

Read more on our blog Lung cancer screening.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF PROSTATE CANCER

If you are between 55 and 69 years old, you should have a PSA lab test. If you are younger than 55, screening is generally not recommended unless you have an increased risk of prostate cancer – a family history of prostate cancer (especially a brother or father). The PSA blood test is repeated once a year unless the doctor says otherwise. In the event of elevated PSA or any other suspicion, an examination by a urologist and a prostate MRI are recommended.

TESTICULAR EXAMINATION

Perform a monthly testicular self-examination and, in case of any changes, immediately have a testicular ultrasound.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Measure your blood pressure at least once a year, and if your systolic pressure (the higher number) is 130 or higher, and your diastolic pressure (the lower number) is 80 or higher – schedule a cardiology examination. It is also advised to do an ECG.
If you have other diseases, you must monitor your blood pressure more carefully.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF DIABETES

If you are older than 44 – every 3 years. If you have a BMI above 25, it means you are overweight and should start getting screened from the age of 35.
If you are overweight and have other risk factors, screening is recommended. In case of any changes, an endocrinologist examination is recommended.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL

The recommended age for screening is 45 for men without known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and for men with known risk factors as early as age 20. Men with normal cholesterol levels must repeat the test every 5 years.
If you have other diseases, you must monitor your cholesterol levels more carefully.

SKIN SELF-EXAMINATION

Skin changes should be checked regularly and a dermatoscopic examination should be done once a year.

BLOOD TESTS AND URINE (basic)

CBC, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL, VLDL, AST, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, iron, UIBC/TIBC, glucose, urea, urates, creatinine, CRP, tPSA, stool occult blood test, blood draw and processing. Urine test with sediment.

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