Recommended preventive medical check-up for men aged 64 and over

ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION

Abdominal ultrasound (US) is a quick and painless examination that can assess 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 between 64 and 75 years old, you should be screened with one or a combination of available colon screening tests

There are several screening tests available:

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

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF LUNG CANCER

Low-dose MSCT (low dose CT or abbreviated LDCT), according to the guidelines of the Croatian Thoracic Society and the Section for Thoracic Radiology of the Croatian Society, 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 also 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 asbestosis).

Read more about everything on our blog Lung cancer screening.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF PROSTATE CANCER

The PSA blood test is repeated once a year unless the doctor says otherwise. In case of elevated PSA or any other suspicion, an examination by a urologist and a prostate MRI are recommended.

TESTICULAR EXAMINATION

Perform a monthly self-examination of the testicles and, in the event of any changes, immediately undergo 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 have an ECG done.
If you have other diseases, you need to monitor your blood pressure more carefully.

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF DIABETES

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

SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL

The recommended age for screening is 45 years 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 need to monitor your cholesterol level 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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