Men are notoriously bad at going to the doctor. Most will wait until something is obviously wrong before booking an appointment, by which point a health issue that could have been caught early has had time to develop, potentially into something much more sinister.

Preventative health screening exists to change that equation. The right tests, done at the right time, can detect conditions years before symptoms appear. Here are seven tests that every man should consider, regardless of age.

1. Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in men in the UK, but it rarely arrives without warning. Years before a heart attack, there are measurable changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and blood vessel function that indicate elevated risk.

A proper cardiovascular assessment includes:

Blood pressure measurement to detect hypertension
Full lipid profile measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides
Kidney Function Tests measuring Creatinine & eGFR, urea & electrolytes
HbA1c to assess blood sugar control and diabetes risk
ECG (electrocardiogram) to check heart rhythm and electrical activity

If you have a family history of heart disease, smoke, are overweight, or have a sedentary lifestyle, this assessment becomes even more important. Abnormal results don't mean you're about to have a heart attack, but they enable you to take timely action to rectify the situation.

Our Essential health screen includes all of these markers as standard, and you'll benefit from an experienced professional doctor explaining the results to you in plain English.

2. PSA Testing (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime, with risk increasing significantly after age 50.

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland and elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer, though they can also be raised by benign conditions such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate. The test is not perfect, but it remains a useful screening tool, particularly when tracked over time.

Current guidance suggests discussing PSA testing with your doctor from age 50, or earlier if you have a family history of prostate cancer or are of Black African or Caribbean descent (where risk is higher). We also offer the Stockholm3 advanced prostate cancer screening test alongside dedicated prostate screening packages.

In our Full Body screening options, the Elite men's screen includes PSA testing for men over 40, along with a full physical examination.

3. Liver Function Tests

Your liver processes everything you consume, from food and alcohol to medications and supplements. It can sustain significant damage before showing any symptoms you'll notice, which is why routine testing is important.

Liver function tests measure enzymes and proteins that can indicate how well the liver is working. Elevated levels of ALT, AST, GGT, or bilirubin can suggest fatty liver disease, high cholesterol, alcohol-related damage, hepatitis, or other conditions.

Fatty liver disease in particular has become increasingly common, driven by rising rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is often reversible if caught early but can progress to cirrhosis if left unaddressed.

Liver function tests are included in all our health screening packages.

4. Diabetes Screening (HbA1c and Fasting Glucose)

Type 2 diabetes affects over 4 million people in the UK, and many more have prediabetes without knowing it. The condition develops gradually, and early stages often produce no symptoms at all.

Screening involves two key tests:

Fasting glucose measures blood sugar at a single point in time
HbA1c reflects average blood sugar control over the previous two to three months

An HbA1c between 42 and 47 mmol/mol indicates prediabetes. Above 48 mmol/mol suggests diabetes. Catching prediabetes gives you the opportunity to make lifestyle changes that can prevent progression to full diabetes and the health risks associated with the condition.

Both tests are included in all health screening tiers.

5. Kidney Function Tests

Your kidneys filter waste products from the blood and regulate fluid balance. Chronic kidney disease is common but often asymptomatic until advanced stages.

Kidney function is assessed through blood tests measuring urea, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Urinalysis can also detect protein or blood in the urine, which may indicate kidney damage.

Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and a family history of kidney disease. If you fall into any of these categories, regular monitoring is sensible.

Kidney function tests and urinalysis are included in all our health screening packages.

6. Testosterone and Male Hormone Profile

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, typically by about 1 to 2 percent per year after age 30. For most men, this decline is gradual and causes no significant problems. For others, it can lead to symptoms including fatigue, reduced libido, difficulty concentrating, low mood, and loss of muscle mass.

A male hormone profile measures testosterone (total and free), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and prolactin. Low levels may warrant further investigation and, in some cases, testosterone replacement therapy.

Hormone testing is not just for older men. Younger men with unexplained fatigue or mood changes may also benefit from assessment.

Our Advanced and Elite men's packages include full male hormone profiling.

7. Bowel Cancer Screening

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Survival rates are significantly better when the disease is caught early, which is why screening programmes exist.

The NHS offers bowel cancer screening to adults aged 60 and over (soon to be extended to those over 50), using a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) that detects blood in stool samples.

If you have symptoms such as changes in bowel habit, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal pain, you should see a doctor regardless of age.

For those wanting more comprehensive investigation, our targeted bowel cancer screening packages include FIT testing, calprotectin, blood panels, and where indicated, CT colonoscopy with consultant review.

When Should You Get Tested?

There is no single answer. Your age, family history, lifestyle, and existing health conditions all influence which tests are appropriate and how often you should have them.

As a general guide:

20s and 30s: Baseline cardiovascular and metabolic screening every few years, more frequently if you have risk factors
40s: Add PSA testing (discuss with your doctor), hormone profiling if symptomatic
50s and beyond: Annual or biennial comprehensive screening, including cancer markers

If you have never had a health check, any age is a good time to start.

Book Your Health Screen

Our men's health screening packages are available at healthscreening.clinic, with tiers ranging from Essential to Ultimate. All packages include a doctor's consultation and review of results.

Screenings are conducted at 117a Harley Street, seven days a week. Call 020 7499 1991 or book online.

References

NHS. Prostate cancer: PSA testing. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/psa-testing/
British Heart Foundation. Heart statistics. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics
Diabetes UK. Diabetes prevalence 2023. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics
Cancer Research UK. Bowel cancer statistics. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/bowel-cancer

7 Essential Medical Tests Every Man Should Have