The Importance of Annual Exams for Men

Annual physical exams are a must, especially as we age. Though we may not always look forward to our annual check-up, a physical examination can serve as a reassuring bill of clean health or a vitally important warning that we may not be quite as healthy as we feel. Though there may be differing opinions among the general population about the necessity of routine annual exams, the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine feel they are as valuable as ever.

Routine physical examination procedures typically can include checking the patient’s vital signs (including heart rate & blood pressure), the performance of the heart and lungs, testing for hearing and vision, neurological testing and more. However, for men of a certain age, there are additional required tests beyond the parameters of a basic physical exam that are necessary to determine if the male patient is truly in good health.

At our practice, annual male exams are something we provide for patients of all ages. If you’re due for your first exam, or curious what we include during our own physical, we’ve provided a checklist of vital examinations for patients to keep in mind as they age. A male physical exam includes the following additional tests:

• Testicular exam: The doctor checks each testicle for irregularities or signs of testicular cancer like lumps, tenderness or changes in size.
• Hernia exam: The doctor checks the abdominal wall (between the intestines and scrotum) for weakness.
• Penis exam: The doctor examines for evidence of sexually transmitted diseases or infections including warts or ulcers.
• Prostate exam: The doctor uses a finger to feel the prostate for its size and any abnormalities including signs of prostate cancer.

As always, the better you treat your body between exams, the better your results are likely to be. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to achieve and maintain a healthy bodyweight. We recommend resisting all forms of tobacco and drinking alcohol in moderation (if you plan to drink at all). It’s also highly important to know background and whether or not you have a family history of certain conditions or illnesses. The better understanding you have of your family history, the more accurately your doctor can assess your risk of being affected by these ailments in the future. If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a physical examination, contact Abraham Family Medicine today.