This illustration is one of the latest editorial pieces completed for the American Academy of Family Physicians featuring The Male Wellness Exam.
Depicted are a montage of images illustrating common considerations during history and physical examination during male wellness exams, including weight and obesity screening, colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer and immunization schedules.
According to the featured article, “The adult well male examination should incorporate evidence-based guidance toward the promotion of optimal health and well-being, including screening tests shown to improve health outcomes. Nearly one-third of men report not having a primary care physician, and 12% rate their overall health as poor. Medical history should include tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use; risks for sexually transmitted infections ; diet and exercise habits; and symptoms of depression. Physical examination should include blood pressure screening and height and weight measurements. Men with sustained blood pressures greater than 135>80 should be screened for diabetes. Lipid screening is warranted in all men 35 years and older and in men ages 20 to 35 with cardiovascular risk factors. Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm should occur once between ages 65 and 75 in men who have ever smoked. There is insufficient evidence to recommend screening men for osteoporosis or skin cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has provisionally recommended against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer because the harms of testing outweigh potential benefits; other organizations advise shared decision making about PSA testing in men age 50 years and older. Screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 50 for average-risk men and continue until at least age 75 via annual high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years combined with FOBT, or colonoscopy every 10 years. The USPSTF recommends against screening for testicular cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Immunizations should be recommended according to guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.”