Men's health checks: what to know

Why men's health checks matter

Men are statistically more likely to develop and die early from several major conditions, including heart disease, and are known to put off seeking help. Yet many of these problems are preventable or far more treatable when caught early. Regular, straightforward checks can spot risks such as high blood pressure or raised blood sugar long before they cause symptoms, giving time to act. Just as importantly, knowing what is normal for your own body helps you notice changes early. Booking a check is not a sign of weakness or fuss; it is a practical step that can add healthy years. This is especially true from midlife onwards, and sooner for men with a family history of heart disease, diabetes or certain cancers.

The NHS Health Check and core numbers

In England, the NHS Health Check is offered to adults aged 40 to 74 without certain existing conditions, usually every five years. It reviews the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, and includes blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and lifestyle, with advice to reduce risk. Even outside this scheme, a few core numbers are worth knowing. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms yet quietly raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, so getting it checked — at a pharmacy, GP surgery or with a reliable home monitor — matters. Cholesterol and blood sugar can be checked with a simple blood test. Knowing these numbers, and your weight and waist size, gives a clear picture of heart and diabetes risk.

Prostate health and awareness

The prostate is a small gland that can cause trouble as men age. Benign enlargement is common and can cause urinary symptoms such as needing to pee more often, especially at night, a weaker stream or difficulty starting. These are usually not cancer, but they are worth discussing with a GP. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. There is no national screening programme, because the main test — a PSA blood test — is imperfect, sometimes missing cancers and sometimes flagging harmless changes, leading to unnecessary worry and tests. Men over 50 (or younger with a family history, or of Black ethnicity, who are at higher risk) can request a PSA test after discussing the pros and cons with their GP. New urinary symptoms or blood in the urine should always be checked.

Testicular and other self-checks

Testicular cancer is much less common than prostate cancer but tends to affect younger men, typically between their late teens and forties, and is usually very treatable, especially when found early. Getting to know how your testicles normally feel, and checking now and then — for example in a warm bath or shower — helps you notice a new lump, swelling, or change in size or firmness. Any such change should be seen by a GP promptly; most lumps are not cancer, but it is important to check. Men should also be aware of other cancer signs worth acting on, such as a persistent cough or change in bowel habit, and take up bowel cancer screening, which in the UK is offered by a home test kit to people within a set age range.

Beyond the tests: lifestyle and mental health

Checks are only part of the picture; what you do day to day matters most. Not smoking, keeping alcohol within recommended limits, staying physically active, eating well and keeping to a healthy weight cut the risk of nearly every major disease covered here. Just as important, and often neglected by men, is mental health. Men are less likely to seek help for low mood, stress or anxiety, and suicide remains a leading cause of death in younger men. Talking about how you feel, to a friend, GP or a helpline, is a genuine strength. If life feels unbearable or you have thoughts of harming yourself, help is available right away: contact NHS 111, or call the Samaritans free any time on 116 123. Looking after your mind is as vital as any physical check.