The Best Health Screenings for Men (& When to Get Them)

When you feel fine, it’s easy to skip the doctor’s office. In reality, the earlier you detect a health issue, the easier it is to treat. Whether it’s catching cancer in its earliest stage or flagging heart disease before it becomes a heart attack, the best health screenings for men can save your life.

At Victory Men’s Health, we’re big believers in taking the guesswork out of your health. That means regular screenings tailored to your age, risk factors, and goals. 

On an episode of the Women Want Strong Men podcast, we dove deep into the most important tests for men with our very own Anna Griffith, DNP. Save it below to enjoy later, and now let’s walk through the health screenings every man should know about—and when to get them.

Best Health Screenings for Men: The Must-Haves

Staying ahead of potential health issues starts with the basics. These are the foundational screenings every man should have on his radar, starting as early as your 20s and continuing into your 40s and beyond. These must-have health screenings for men include: 

• Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA Test)
• Colonoscopy
• Diabetes Screening (A1C or Fasting Glucose)
• Blood Pressure Check
• Cholesterol & Lipid Panel

Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA Test)

Prostate cancer is one of the most common (and most treatable) cancers in men, especially when caught early. The PSA test is a quick, inexpensive blood test that measures your prostate-specific antigen levels. 

Elevated numbers can signal cancer before symptoms ever appear. While testing frequency is sometimes debated, most men benefit from checking it annually starting in their mid-40s for peace of mind and early detection.

When to get it: Start at age 45 and test annually. If you’re African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your provider about starting earlier.

Colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer (also called colon cancer) often develops without symptoms, which is why a colonoscopy is one of the most important health screenings a man can get. During the procedure, your doctor uses a small camera to examine your colon for polyps that could turn into cancer. 

If they find polyps, they can be removed right away to prevent future issues. No one’s excited about colonoscopy prep, but this test can catch cancer before it starts—so it’s well worth it.

When to get it: Start at age 45 if you’re at average risk and repeat every 10 years if results are normal. If you have a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, you may need to start earlier. Alternatively, if you’re at low risk then you may be able to start with a stool sample method like Cologuard.

Diabetes Screening (A1C or Fasting Glucose)

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t usually show up with flashing warning signs. Many men don’t even realize their blood sugar is out of control until fatigue, weight gain, or low testosterone become daily struggles. That’s why screening matters, even if you feel fine. 

Blood sugar issues can chip away at your health for years before full-blown diabetes sets in. We often screen earlier than the national guidelines recommend because the reality is: most men today are already at risk—thanks to sedentary lifestyles, processed food, and stress.

When to get it: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every 3 years starting at age 35 if you’re overweight or obese. However, we advise starting earlier, especially if you carry weight around your midsection or have a family history of metabolic disease.

Blood Pressure Check

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a slow and silent health hazard. It doesn’t cause pain or obvious symptoms at first, but over time it can do serious damage to your heart, brain, kidneys, and sexual function. 

The only way to know if your blood pressure is too high? Getting it checked. We consider this a baseline marker for your overall cardiovascular health. It’s a quick, non-invasive test that every man should get each year.

When to get it: All adult men should have their blood pressure checked once a year. If you have a history of elevated readings, monitor it more often.

Cholesterol & Lipid Panel

Not all cholesterol is bad, but understanding your numbers is key. A lipid panel gives you a breakdown of your total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides. It’s a solid starting point for assessing your cardiovascular risk. 

While basic, this test can give you early insight into metabolic issues that affect everything from heart disease to hormone health. Combine it with lifestyle changes or more advanced panels as needed and recommended by your healthcare provider. 

When to get it: Men over 20 should have their cholesterol tested every 4 to 6 years (at a minimum) if they’re low-risk. Starting at age 35, we recommend annual testing—even if you don’t have symptoms or a strong family history.

Specialty Health Screenings for Men Worth Considering

Once your baseline health is covered, it’s time to dig deeper. Advanced and specialty screenings offer more insight into things like your long-term health risks, recovery potential, and aging trajectory. 

If you’re concerned with prevention, optimization, and/or longevity, these specialty health screenings are worth looking into:

• Grail Multi-Cancer Early Detection 
• Advanced Cardiovascular Testing 
• SpectraCell Micronutrient Testing
• Telomere Testing
• Cyrex Food Sensitivity & Gut Barrier Testing
• DNA-Based Genetic Testing (DNA Active)

Grail Multi-Cancer Early Detection (Galleri Test)

Most cancers don’t have standard screenings. That’s where the Galleri test from Grail comes in. It’s a blood test that looks for fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells, helping detect more than 50 types of cancer (including pancreatic and esophageal) in their early stages. 

While this test doesn’t replace mammograms, colonoscopies, or PSA tests, it’s a powerful addition for men who want a more complete picture of their cancer risk. We recommend it for anyone interested in proactive, preventative health.

When to get it: Annual screening is ideal for men over 40, especially those with a family history of cancer or anyone looking for comprehensive early detection.

Advanced Cardiovascular Testing

Traditional cholesterol tests only scratch the surface, but advanced cardiovascular testing reveals the full picture. The Boston Heart Panel evaluates inflammation, cholesterol particle size, plaque risk, and even your body’s ability to produce or absorb cholesterol. 

We often pair this with imaging tools like a SphymoCor blood pressure test, carotid artery ultrasound, or Max Pulse to assess artery health in real-time. If you’ve ever been told your cholesterol is “borderline” or if heart attacks run in your family, this test helps cut through the uncertainty.

When to get it: Men in their 30s or 40s should consider this if they have a family history of heart disease, unclear or borderline labs, or want more precise insight than a standard test provides.

SpectraCell Micronutrient Testing

You could be taking all the right vitamins and still come up short, especially if your body isn’t absorbing them properly. That’s where micronutrient testing comes in. Instead of a one-time snapshot of your blood levels, this test looks at how well your cells have been using key nutrients over the past 4–6 months. 

It measures 30+ vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which helps us personalize your supplement plan and even pinpoint digestive or absorption issues. Many patients find out their low energy, brain fog, or slow recovery is linked to a hidden deficiency they never knew about.

When to get it: Anytime—especially if you take supplements, feel fatigued, or want to optimize performance. Great for men of all ages who value a personalized health plan.

Telomere Testing

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of your DNA that naturally shorten over time. Certain lifestyle changes can slow that process—or even reverse it. Telomere testing gives you a glimpse into how quickly you’re aging at a cellular level, aka your biological age.

We use this test to track progress over time and help patients understand how their daily habits are impacting their longevity. This health screening is a powerful tool for men who are serious about living longer and stronger.

When to get it: Typically recommended in your 30s or 40s, especially if you’re focused on anti-aging, performance, or longevity. Can be repeated every few years to track improvement.

Cyrex Food Sensitivity & Gut Barrier Testing

Some of the most disruptive immune responses are delayed—causing issues hours or even days later. Cyrex food sensitivity testing helps uncover those hard-to-identify food triggers while also evaluating gut barrier integrity, microbiome health, and signs of an overactive immune response.

It’s one of the most advanced food sensitivity tests available, analyzing foods in raw, cooked, and fermented forms. If you’ve tried elimination diets without success or just feel “off,” this deeper look into your gut and immune health could be the missing piece.

When to get it: Useful for any age, particularly if you have gut issues, autoimmune symptoms, or unexplained inflammation. It’s a great tool for identifying root causes of chronic symptoms.

DNA-Based Genetic Testing (DNA Active)

Some men are built for endurance, while others thrive with strength training. Some metabolize caffeine quickly, while others feel wired all day long. This DNA test reveals those insights and more—including your injury risks, your ideal macronutrient balance, and the recovery strategies your body will respond best to. 

At Victory Men’s Health, we use this data as a blueprint to create customized lifestyle plans that work with your body’s unique needs. 

When to get it: Ideal as a one-time test for men at any age who want to train smarter, eat better, recover faster, and stay ahead of aging.

Eliminate the Guesswork with Victory Men’s Health

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to men’s health, but these health screenings for men give you a strong foundation to build from. Whether you’re focused on longevity, performance, or disease prevention, the right tests can point you in the right direction.

We offer standard labs and cutting-edge specialty screenings to help you understand exactly where you stand and where to go next. From prostate screenings to blood pressure checks to micronutrient analysis, we’ll help you create a personalized plan that actually moves the needle.

Ready to eliminate the guesswork and take control of your health? Schedule a consultation today and begin your journey to better health and happiness.