Movember: what technical inspection for men aged 30, 50 and over 65?

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)

Gentlemen, your health matters. And the month of November is here to remind us of that. Since 2003, the Movember movement (and the mustache worn proudly during these 30 days) aims to put men’s health and in particular cancers which specifically affect men at the heart of the news. But men’s health also involves prevention, vaccines, taking into account mental health… How do you take care of yourself at 30, 50 and after 65? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, gives us the key elements of these “technical checks” (to be adapted according to your family history and medical history, obviously).

Technical inspection in your thirties

Dr Kierzek reminds us: the idea, in your thirties, is to see a doctor fairly regularly to check blood pressure, and to have a blood test to measure cholesterol and blood sugar.

• At this age, cancer screening simply consists of an examination of the testicles to check that there are no abnormalities;
• Checking your vision and hearing can also be important: “Presbycusis (i.e. a physiological reduction in hearing abilities) in young men can begin quite early”;
• Regarding vaccines, if the 25-year-old booster has not been done, we therefore do our DT polio booster, and possibly the annual flu vaccine;
• It is also important to talk about your mental health, especially when feeling unwell. Solutions exist.

The 50-year technical inspection

“In your fifties, examinations become a little more frequent, and you have to monitor your heart and blood sugar – diabetes – more, as well as certain added risk factors” recalls our expert.

• It is also at this age that cancer screening intensifies. Between the ages of 50 and 74, you are invited by mail every 2 years to take an immunological test to screen for colorectal cancer. If this test finds blood in the stool, it does not mean you have cancer. Your doctor will refer you to a gastroenterologist to perform a colonoscopy;
• Prostate cancer screening with digital rectal examination is also to be scheduled, as well as a discussion on screening by PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing. “It’s not systematic but it has to be done” says our expert ;
• Men who want to return to sport need a complete cardiovascular assessment and must see their cardiologist;
• Finally, regarding the vaccine, if the booster has not been given at age 45, you update your DT Polio vaccine.

Technical inspection for those aged 65 and over

To stay in the best possible health, prevention now concerns all aspects of daily life.

• “We continue screening for colorectal and prostate cancer, but we add locomotor assessments to manage the risk of falls. Are there any particular pains or balance problems?” ;
• A cognitive assessment may also be useful for detecting early signs of dementia;
• Vision and hearing are also important to check: “It is important to detect glaucoma, or hearing loss, especially when we know the link between hearing loss and the onset of dementia, it may be good to know if it is time to fit the hearing aid. person” ;
• The DT polio vaccine should also be given at age 65 and then every 10 years. We can add the vaccine against shingles and pneumococci in addition to the vaccines against flu and covid.

Mental health, let’s talk about it!

Finally, at all ages of a man’s life, it is essential to be able to talk about his mental health with a professional when the need arises, and discomfort persists, recalls our expert.Unfortunately, men rarely talk about how they feel”. At 65, talking about your sexual health can also be an appointment to consider, especially when sexual health and mental health can go hand in hand. “We should not hesitate to talk about reduced libido in particular, because this can have physiological and psychological causes.” Whatever it is, and whatever your age, don’t be left alone with your questions.