Men's Preventive Health: Self-Assessment
Introduction
Men are often less likely to seek medical care than women, making preventive health an important goal. This self-assessment allows you to explore your medical history, health habits, and lifestyle patterns. After you complete the self-assessment, follow up at the Tang Center with any medical appointments or other recommendations.
Family and Personal Medical History
To get any of the following tests or exams, make an appointment with a clinician.
Has anyone in your immediate family had a stroke, heart attack, or any kind of cardiovascular or heart disease?
If you answered yes, you should get yearly blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening every 5 years, get aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week, and maintain a healthy weight.
If you answered no, you should get blood pressure checks every 2 years, cholesterol screening every 5 years beginning at age 35, get aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week, and maintain a healthy weight.
Has your cholesterol level been checked in the past 5 years?
If you answered no, you should get a cholesterol test every 5 years starting at age 35.
If you smoke, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or have a family history of diabetes or high blood pressure, you should get a cholesterol test every 5 years starting now.
If you have high cholesterol, follow up with a clinician.
Has anyone in your immediate family had diabetes?
If you answered yes, you should see a clinician for a fasting blood sugar test and further evaluation.
If you answered no, you should get a fasting blood sugar test at age 45.
Have you, or anyone in your immediate family, had abnormal moles or skin cancer? Have you had two or more blistering sunburns (not just peeling) before the age of 18?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should get yearly skin examinations by a clinician. You should also learn more about melanoma.
Has anyone in your immediate family had colon cancer?
If you answered yes, you should have yearly rectal exams and stool occult blood screening beginning at age 40. If an immediate family member got colon cancer before age 40, or if you have several family members with a history of colon cancer, consult your clinician about appropriate screening.
If you answered no, you should have yearly rectal exams and stool occult blood screening beginning at age 50. You should also have sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy every 5 years beginning at age 50.
Has anyone in your immediate family had prostate cancer? Are you African-American?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you are at higher risk for prostate cancer. You should get yearly prostate exams starting at age 40, and discuss with a clinician whether you should get PSA tests starting at age 40.
If you answered no to both questions, you should get yearly prostate exams starting at age 50, and discuss with a clinician whether you should get PSA tests starting at age 50.
Vaccines
To get any of the following vaccines, make an appointment in the Specialty Clinic.
Do you have a chronic disease (e.g. asthma), or do you live with or care for the elderly or anyone with a chronic disease?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should get a flu vaccine every year.
Have you had chicken pox, or have you had the chicken pox vaccine?
If you answered no to both questions, you should get the chicken pox vaccine.
Have you had a tetanus shot or booster in the past 10 years?
If you answered no, you should get a tetanus booster vaccine.
Have you had measles, or have you had two measles vaccinations?
If you answered no to both questions, you should get a measles vaccine.
Have you had sex with other men?
If you answered yes, and have had unprotected sex or are over age 40, you should get tested for hepatitis A and get the vaccine if you test negative. If you test positive, you are immune and do not need the vaccine.
If you answered yes, and have not had unprotected sex and are under age 40, you should consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine.
Do you have any risk factors for hepatitis B? These include:
- Have you spent extensive time in Asia or Africa, or were you born there?
- Do you have family members who are hepatitis B carriers?
- Have you ever been treated for a sexually transmitted disease?
- Have you had two or more sexual partners in the past six months?
- Have you had a sexual partner who is a known hepatitis B carrier?
- Have you had sex with other men?
- Have you received a blood transfusion?
- Do you have a history of injection drug use?
- Do you have hemophilia and have received clotting factors?
- Do you have kidney failure and have been on hemodialysis?
If you answered yes to any of these risk factors, and have not had the hepatitis B vaccine, you should be tested for hepatitis B. If you are negative, you should get the hepatitis B vaccine. If you are positive, you should consult a clinician for further evaluation.
If you answered no to all of these risk factors, and have not had the hepatitis B vaccine, you should get the vaccine.
Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs
Do you smoke cigarettes or cigars, or chew tobacco (even occasionally)?
If you answered yes, you should consider quitting. Check out the smoking cessation resources on our website. Also, you should get cholesterol screening every 5 years.
If you answered no, congratulations! Don't start smoking, and spread the message to your friends.
Do you drink alcohol or use other drugs? If yes,
- Do you drink or use to feel better when you are under stress or upset?
- Have you ever missed class or lost study time due to drinking or drug use?
- Do you need alcohol /other drugs to have a good time?
- Does your drinking or drug use negatively affect your relationships with friends and family?
- Have you ever driven when you weren't sure if you were "okay to drive"?
- Do you ever wake up after drinking or using and can't remember part of the night before?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking or drug use, or tried to cut down?
- Do you ever regret things you said or did while you were drunk or high?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your drinking or drug use may be causing you problems. Consider taking a closer look. For alcohol and drug counseling, contact Social Services.
Sexual Health
For sexual health concerns, including STI testing and STI prevention education, make an appointment with a clinician or a SHEP peer educator.
Do you discuss sexual history and STI testing with your sexual partner(s)?
Open discussion of sexual history with your partner(s) is recommended to assess your own risk of STIs and to plan for appropriate prevention and testing.
Have you been diagnosed with any STI in the past year? STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomoniasis, HPV, genital warts, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, PID, bacterial vaginosis, and others.
Having recently had one STI may increase your risk for other STIs.
In the past year, have you had sex with a new partner, or have you had more than two sexual partners (including oral, vaginal, and anal sex)? Are you currently planning on having sex with a new partner?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at higher risk for STIs.
In the past year, do you think your sexual partner(s) had any other partners?
If you answered yes, or if you aren't sure, you may be at higher risk for STIs.
In the past year, how often have you used condoms, dental dams, or other safer sex methods?
If you don't use safer sex methods every time you have sex, you may be at higher risk for STIs.
How often do you get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise (e.g. anything that increases your heart rate)?
You should get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 or more days per week. You can make an appointment with a clinical health educator to discuss ways to get more exercise.
How many servings (1/2 cup) of fruits and vegetables do you get each day?
You should get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. You can make an appointment with a nutritionist or a clinical health educator to discuss ways to make your diet healthier.
What is your BMI (body mass index)? To calculate your BMI, visit the CDC website.
A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese. High BMI is correlated with many health issues. If you have a high BMI and want to lose weight, make an appointment with a clinician or clinical health educator to discuss strategies.
How would you rate your stress level?
Stress can have a significant impact on your mental and physical well-being. If you feel overwhelmed by the stress in your life, make an appointment with a clinical health educator to discuss stress management strategies.
Do you feel high levels of anxiety?
If you answered yes, you should consider making an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). They can talk with you about different treatment options for anxiety including counseling and medication.
Have you ever had recurrent very low moods, or any serious thoughts of hurting or killing yourself?
If you answered yes, you should consider making an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). They can talk with you about different treatment options for depression including counseling and medication.
How often do you get dental check-ups?
You should get dental check-ups every six months. With SHIP, these check-ups are free.
How often do you brush and floss your teeth?
You should brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once a day. Be sure to use proper brushing and flossing technique.
How often do you perform testicular self-exams?
Consider performing a testicular self-exam once a month to check for any changes. If you notice something unusual, see a clinician.
If you ride a bicycle, how often do you wear a helmet?
Helmets are an important safety measure to prevent head injuries in case of a bike accident.
When driving or riding in a car, how often do you wear a seatbelt?
Seatbelts can reduce the risk of serious injury in a car crash. They are also required by law.
Related Services at the Tang Center
Specific follow-up recommendations are provided above for each aspect of men's health. Resources at the Tang Center include:
- Self-Care Resource Center: Call (510) 642-7202 or visit Health Promotion on the 2nd floor.
- Appointments (medical, clinical health education, sexual health peer educator): Call (510) 642-2000 or visit the appointment office on the 1st floor.
- Advice Nurse: Call (510) 643-7197.
- Counseling and Psychological Services: Call (510) 642-9494.
- Social Services: Call (510) 642-6074.
