Men’s health is about more than treating a problem when symptoms appear. Regular preventive care, appropriate health screenings, healthy lifestyle habits, and routine conversations with a healthcare professional can help men identify potential health concerns earlier and stay healthier through every stage of life.
From blood pressure and cholesterol checks in adulthood to prostate and colorectal cancer screening later in life, the right men’s health tests and screenings can vary depending on age, family history, lifestyle, and individual risk factors.
If you live in Virginia Beach, having convenient access to preventive testing can make it easier to stay on top of your health. LABS TO GO offers a Men’s Health Panel that provides several commonly requested laboratory measurements in one testing package.
View the LABS TO GO Men’s Health Panel
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening recommendations can vary based on your personal and family history. Talk with your healthcare professional about which tests are appropriate for you.
Why Men’s Health Screenings Matter
Many health conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and some cancers may not cause noticeable warning signs in their early stages.
That is why preventive healthcare is important even when you feel healthy.
For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for high blood pressure beginning at age 18. It also recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Regular screening can help you and your healthcare provider:
- Identify potential health concerns earlier
- Monitor important health measurements over time
- Understand cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors
- Establish a baseline for future testing
- Make informed lifestyle decisions
- Determine whether additional medical evaluation is appropriate
The goal isn’t to order every possible test. Instead, the goal is to choose appropriate screenings based on your age, risk factors, symptoms, and medical history.
Men’s Health Through the Decades
Your healthcare priorities can change as you get older. Here’s a general look at important areas to discuss with your healthcare provider during different stages of adulthood.
Your 20s: Build a Strong Health Foundation
Your 20s are an excellent time to establish healthy habits that can benefit you for decades.
You may feel healthy and have plenty of energy, but preventive care should still be part of your routine.
Important health areas to monitor
Blood pressure: High blood pressure can occur in younger adults and may have no symptoms. Regular blood pressure checks can help identify changes early.
Cholesterol: Depending on your personal risk factors and healthcare provider’s recommendations, cholesterol testing can help evaluate cardiovascular health.
Sexual health: Depending on sexual activity and risk factors, discuss appropriate sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing with a healthcare professional.
Mental health: Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and substance use can affect overall health. Don’t ignore persistent changes in mood, sleep, or behavior.
Lifestyle priorities in your 20s
Focus on habits that are sustainable rather than extreme:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid tobacco products
- Limit excessive alcohol consumption
- Get adequate sleep
- Manage stress
- Wear appropriate sun protection
- Establish a relationship with a primary care provider
Building these habits early can make preventive health easier as you age.
Your 30s: Monitor Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
During your 30s, work, family responsibilities, stress, reduced physical activity, and changes in diet can gradually affect your health.
This is a good time to pay closer attention to cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
Consider discussing these screenings
Blood pressure: Continue routine blood pressure monitoring. The USPSTF recommends screening adults 18 and older for hypertension.
Cholesterol: A lipid panel measures cholesterol-related markers such as HDL and LDL. Your healthcare provider can determine how frequently testing is appropriate based on your overall cardiovascular risk.
Blood glucose: Men with overweight or obesity may need screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes between ages 35 and 70 under current USPSTF guidance.
Routine blood work: Depending on your medical history, a healthcare professional may recommend tests that evaluate blood counts, kidney function, liver function, thyroid function, or other markers.
Lifestyle tip for your 30s
Don’t wait for your health to become a problem before paying attention to it.
A simple combination of regular physical activity, nutritious foods, adequate sleep, and preventive healthcare can help support long-term health.
Your 40s: Start Paying More Attention to Screening
For many men, the 40s are when preventive health becomes particularly important.
Family history also becomes increasingly relevant. If your father, brother, or other close relatives have had heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, or other significant conditions, tell your healthcare provider.
Prostate health
Prostate cancer screening should be an informed decision rather than something every man automatically undergoes at the same age.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men have a conversation with a healthcare professional about prostate cancer screening. Its guidance recommends discussing screening around age 50 for men at average risk, age 45 for men at high risk, and age 40 for men at even higher risk, including those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.
A PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, blood test may be used as part of prostate cancer screening.
Importantly, an elevated PSA does not automatically mean that a man has prostate cancer. Results need to be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of other factors.
Diabetes and blood sugar
As men get older, metabolic health deserves more attention.
If you are between 35 and 70 and have overweight or obesity, USPSTF guidance recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Cholesterol and heart health
A lipid panel can help measure cholesterol levels and contribute to an overall assessment of cardiovascular risk.
This is especially important if you have risk factors such as:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking history
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- Family history of cardiovascular disease
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels
Your 50s: Make Preventive Screening a Priority
The 50s are an important decade for preventive healthcare.
Men should discuss age-appropriate cancer screenings and cardiovascular risk with their healthcare providers.
Colorectal cancer screening
One important change in preventive healthcare is the recommended starting age for colorectal cancer screening.
The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75. Adults ages 76 to 85 may benefit from selective screening depending on overall health, previous screening history, and personal preferences.
Available screening options include stool-based tests and visual examinations such as colonoscopy. The appropriate option and screening interval depend on the test and individual circumstances.
Don’t wait for symptoms to begin before discussing colorectal cancer screening.
Prostate screening
Men in their 50s should also discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider.
PSA testing may be considered based on age, risk level, family history, and personal preferences.
Cardiovascular health
Continue monitoring:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Blood glucose
- Weight
- Physical activity
- Tobacco use
Your healthcare provider can use these factors together to assess your overall cardiovascular risk.
Your 60s: Focus on Prevention and Long-Term Health
In your 60s, preventive healthcare becomes increasingly important.
Your healthcare professional may recommend continued monitoring of cardiovascular and metabolic health, cancer screening, and other age-related conditions.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
For men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked, the USPSTF recommends one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm using ultrasonography. For men in the same age group who have never smoked, selective screening may be appropriate depending on individual risk factors and preferences.
Continue cancer screening
Depending on your health history, continue recommended colorectal cancer screening and discuss prostate cancer screening with your healthcare provider.
Don’t overlook lifestyle
Healthy habits remain important at every age.
Try to:
- Stay physically active
- Maintain muscle strength
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid tobacco
- Limit excessive alcohol consumption
- Prioritize sleep
- Stay socially connected
- Keep routine healthcare appointments
Your 70s and Beyond: Individualized Preventive Care
Healthcare decisions become increasingly personalized as men get older.
Instead of simply following an age-based checklist, your healthcare provider may consider:
- Overall health
- Life expectancy
- Existing medical conditions
- Previous screening results
- Family history
- Medications
- Functional ability
- Personal preferences
For example, the USPSTF recommends that colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 76 to 85 be individualized based on overall health, previous screening history, and preferences.
The same principle applies broadly to preventive care: the best screening plan is the one that reflects your individual health profile.
What Is Included in a Men’s Health Panel?
A comprehensive men’s health blood test panel can provide useful information about several aspects of overall health.
The LABS TO GO Men’s Health Panel currently lists the following components:
CBC — Complete Blood Count
A CBC measures blood cells and related components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
It can provide information that healthcare professionals may use when evaluating conditions such as anemia, infection, or other blood-related concerns.
Chemistry 23
The Chemistry 23 panel provides information related to areas such as kidney function, liver function, and other aspects of general health.
Lipid Panel
A lipid panel evaluates cholesterol-related measurements, including HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Because cholesterol is an important part of cardiovascular risk assessment, lipid testing can be useful as part of routine preventive healthcare.
PSA — Prostate-Specific Antigen
PSA is a blood test associated with prostate health.
PSA testing may be used as part of prostate cancer screening after an informed discussion with a healthcare professional. It may also be used in other clinical situations involving the prostate.
TSH — Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
TSH testing helps evaluate thyroid function and can help identify possible thyroid disorders.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis evaluates characteristics of urine and can provide information that may help identify potential urinary tract, kidney, or metabolic issues.
LABS TO GO lists fasting for 12 hours as a special instruction for its Men’s Health Panel. Always follow the testing facility’s current preparation instructions.
Men’s Health Tests vs. a Routine Physical
A laboratory health panel and a physical examination serve different purposes.
A physical appointment may include:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight and body measurements
- Medical history
- Family history
- Medication review
- Lifestyle discussion
- Physical examination
- Preventive screening recommendations
Laboratory testing can provide additional information about blood, cholesterol, metabolic health, thyroid function, prostate-related markers, and urine.
Neither replaces the other.
A good preventive health strategy combines appropriate laboratory testing with regular healthcare visits and conversations about symptoms, risk factors, and lifestyle.
Signs You Should Talk With a Healthcare Professional
Routine screening is important, but you should not wait for your next scheduled screening if you develop concerning symptoms.
Men should speak with a healthcare professional about persistent or unusual symptoms such as:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Changes in urination
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Persistent abdominal discomfort
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent changes in bowel habits
- Unusual lumps or swelling
- Changes in sexual function
- Persistent changes in mood
Symptoms do not necessarily mean you have a serious disease. However, they should be evaluated appropriately rather than ignored.
Lifestyle Habits That Support Men’s Health
Screening is only one part of staying healthy. Your daily habits matter, too.
1. Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, mobility, and overall well-being.
Choose activities you can maintain consistently, such as walking, cycling, swimming, resistance training, or recreational sports.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
Build meals around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy sources of fat.
Try to limit excessive consumption of highly processed foods, added sugars, and foods high in saturated fat.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can support metabolic and cardiovascular health.
If weight management is difficult, discuss realistic goals with a healthcare professional rather than relying on extreme diets.
4. Don’t Smoke
Tobacco use is associated with numerous serious health conditions. If you smoke, talk with a healthcare professional about evidence-based cessation strategies.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is an important part of physical and mental well-being.
Persistent sleep problems, loud snoring, or significant daytime sleepiness may warrant a conversation with a healthcare professional.
6. Manage Stress
Long-term stress can affect sleep, eating habits, physical activity, and overall well-being.
Exercise, social connection, hobbies, relaxation techniques, and professional support can all be part of a healthy stress-management strategy.
7. Know Your Family History
Your family history can influence when certain screenings should begin.
Keep track of significant health conditions among close relatives, particularly cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other hereditary conditions.
Why Local Men’s Health Testing Can Be Convenient in Virginia Beach
For men in Virginia Beach, convenient access to laboratory testing can make preventive healthcare easier to manage.
LABS TO GO lists its Virginia Beach location at 5511 Princess Anne Road, Suite #103, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, with weekday and Saturday hours listed on its Men’s Health Panel page. The facility also states that appointments are not required.
If you’re considering a Men’s Health Test in Virginia Beach, review the available testing options and discuss your individual screening needs with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Health Tests
What is a men’s health screening?
A men’s health screening refers to preventive tests and evaluations designed to identify potential health concerns before they become more serious. The appropriate screenings depend on age, risk factors, symptoms, and medical history.
What blood tests should men get regularly?
There isn’t one universal set of blood tests that every man needs at the same frequency. Depending on individual circumstances, healthcare professionals may recommend tests such as a CBC, lipid panel, blood glucose testing, thyroid testing, kidney and liver function testing, or PSA testing.
At what age should men start prostate screening?
Prostate cancer screening should involve an informed conversation with a healthcare professional. The American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening around age 50 for average-risk men, earlier for men at higher risk.
When should men start colorectal cancer screening?
For average-risk adults, the USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 and continuing through age 75.
Should healthy men get health screenings?
Yes. Some important health conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. Preventive screening can help identify potential issues and provide useful information for healthcare decisions.
Is a men’s health panel a replacement for a physical?
No. A laboratory panel provides test results, while a physical and healthcare visit can evaluate symptoms, medical history, physical findings, lifestyle, and other risk factors.
Do I need to fast before a men’s health blood test?
Preparation depends on the specific tests being performed. LABS TO GO currently states that its Men’s Health Panel requires 12 hours of fasting. Follow the laboratory’s current instructions before testing.
Take Control of Your Health at Every Age
Men’s health doesn’t have to be complicated.
The most important step is to make preventive healthcare part of your normal routine. Know your family history, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, monitor important health measurements, and talk with your healthcare provider about which screenings make sense for you.
Whether you’re in your 30s and establishing healthy habits, in your 40s and reviewing cardiovascular and metabolic health, in your 50s and discussing cancer screening, or in your 60s and beyond, preventive care can help you make more informed decisions about your health.
If you’re looking for men’s health tests and screenings in Virginia Beach, LABS TO GO provides a Men’s Health Panel that combines several commonly requested laboratory tests in one package.