The Screenings Men Over 50 Should Know About
Which tests are commonly recommended for men past fifty, roughly when, and the questions worth asking about each.
Screening tests look for problems before they cause symptoms, when they are often easier to deal with. The list grows after fifty. Here is an overview of the screenings commonly recommended for men in the United States, based on national guidance as of 2026. Recommendations change, and your own history may call for a different schedule, so use this as a checklist for a conversation with your doctor.
Every year or two
- Blood pressure. At least once a year. High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, and it is one of the most treatable risks for heart attack and stroke.
- Weight and waist. Usually checked at routine visits.
- Eyes. A full eye exam every one to two years from about 60, earlier with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma.
Blood tests
- Cholesterol. Checked regularly as part of your heart-risk assessment.
- Blood sugar. Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is recommended for adults up to 70 who are overweight, and many doctors check it routinely after 50.
Colorectal cancer
Screening is recommended from age 45 through 75. There are several options, including a colonoscopy roughly every ten years or a stool-based test done more often at home. The best test is the one you will actually do. Between 76 and 85, it is an individual decision.
Prostate cancer
The PSA blood test can find prostate cancer early, but it can also lead to follow-up tests and treatment for slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm. For men aged 55 to 69, national guidance calls it an individual decision to make with your doctor. Men with a family history or of Black ancestry are at higher risk and may want to start the conversation earlier. Our questions to ask your doctor can help.
Lung cancer
A yearly low-dose CT scan is recommended for adults 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history (20 pack-years or more) who smoke now or quit within the past 15 years.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
A one-time ultrasound is recommended for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
Vaccines worth asking about
- Shingles vaccine from age 50
- Annual flu shot
- Pneumococcal vaccine, now recommended from age 50 for many adults
- COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, depending on your age and health
Hearing counts too. Hearing loss is common after 50 and often creeps up unnoticed. A simple hearing check is worth asking about if family members say the TV is too loud.
Make the most of your checkup
Bring a list of your medications, any changes you've noticed (including sleep and bathroom habits), and your family history. Ask which screenings are due, and write down the plan before you leave.
