For those men in their thirties who are fit and healthy, you may be forgiven for feeling you are invincible. Unfortunately, that is certainly not the case. There is a range of health checks that thirty-somethings should be getting done on a regular basis to ward off the real threat of infection and disease. Here are a list of essential checks you should undertake.
Testicular cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, the most prevalent type of cancer to affect men aged between 15 and 49 is testicular cancer, with 2,200 men diagnosed in the UK each year. Although testicular cancer is a particular threat to men in their 30s, it also has one of the highest survival rates, proving early detection is key to overcoming the disease and living a normal life.
Normally, pain is not a symptom that presents in testicular cancer so regular self-examination is important. It’s advised men check their testicles at least once a month. Using your index finger and thumb, feel for any abnormalities such as pea-shaped lumps. See your GP if you’re concerned – http://www.mensfitness.com/training/check-ups-every-guy-needs.
STI test
Figures from Public Health England show there were over 400,000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 2015. Many more people are unaware they have an STI, so sexually active adults, especially between the ages of 16 and 40, should get tested once a year. Sexual health sites such as https://www.checkurself.org.uk/order-a-test-kit/ and https://www.bexleysexualhealth.org/ offer free STI testing kits in London and further afield and make it easy for anyone concerned about an STI
Diabetes
If you’re carrying a bit of excess weight around your stomach you could be increasing your risk of developing diabetes. It’s believed a quarter of people who have the disease have not yet been diagnosed. Catching diabetes early is key to managing the symptoms in later life. A simple blood test will be able to tell you if you’re at risk.
Cholesterol
If you smoke, eat a high-fat diet and prefer a night on the sofa than a workout in the gym then you may want to check your cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol can cause heart disease leading to potential heart attacks and strokes. Again, a simple blood test will be able to tell if you need to make some lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol.
