- - What is Cancer Screening for Men?
- - Prostate Cancer Screening for Men
- - Testicular Cancer Checkup
- - Lung Cancer Screening for Men
- - Colon Cancer Screening for Men
- - Skin Cancer Checkup for Men
- - Cancer Screening for Men Over 40
- - Cancer Screening for Men Over 50
- - Cancer Screening Package for Men at Turkey Luxury Clinics
- - FAQs About Cancer Screening for Men
Cancer is not a simple disease, and many people tend to avoid facing it or even talking about it. However, regular cancer screening can either give you peace of mind or help detect the disease at an early stage, when treatment success rates are much higher. In fact, early detection of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, can raise survival rates to nearly 90%.
Cancer screening for men involves checking for main types of cancers that are highly affecting men, specifically, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and testicular cancer.
Cancer screening is a specific component of a comprehensive men’s health check-up, mainly recommended for men at high risk due to family history, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors.
What is Cancer Screening for Men?
Men’s cancer screening is a regular checkup for specific types of cancer without symptoms appearance. It involves undergoing cancer screening tests and examinations to detect early signs of the disease before it progresses.
Early discovery makes cancer easier to treat and increases the chances of positive outcomes.
Men’s screenings often focus on the cancers most likely to affect them including colorectal cancer tests and prostate cancer screening, which are among the most common types in men. Lung cancer screening may also be recommended for high-risk individuals, such as smokers, those with chronic lung disease, or a family history of lung cancer.
In addition, regular self-exams for skin and testicular cancer are encouraged, while other screenings may be suggested depending on personal risk factors.
Prostate Cancer Screening for Men
Regular and routine prostate cancer screening can help detect the disease early, when treatment is most effective. This is one of the strongest reasons to consider getting screened.
Prostate cancer screening test for men typically involves the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).
1. PSA Test (Prostate-Specific Antigen Test)
A simple blood test that measures the level of PSA in the blood. Normal levels are usually below 4.0 ng/mL.
Results between 4.0–10 ng/mL fall into a “gray zone” that may indicate benign conditions or early cancer.
Elevated PSA levels above 10 ng/mL increase the likelihood of prostate cancer but are not conclusive. This elevation can also result from other conditions such as prostate enlargement, infection, recent medical procedures, or even certain medications.
2. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A physical examination in which the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the prostate for lumps or abnormally hard areas. A smooth, normally sized prostate is considered typical, while nodules, firmness, or significant enlargement are considered abnormal findings.
Prostate cancer screening is recommended for:
- Men at high risk (e.g., African American men, or those with a family history): screening may begin earlier, around age 45, and is often done more frequently, such as annually.
- Men aged 55–69 at average risk: screening every 1–2 years.
What about prostate cancer screening for men over 70?
Routine prostate cancer screening test for men is not recommended for men aged 70 and older because the risks, such as complications from biopsies, often outweigh the benefits. In many cases, detecting prostate cancer at this age may not be necessary, since older patients are less likely to tolerate treatment or benefit from it, and the cancer may never cause significant health problems.
What to Expect From Prostate Screening Results?
Positive prostate screening does not always mean cancer. Other conditions that can cause high PSA levels or an enlarged prostate on DRE include:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate)
- Recent urinary procedures or catheter use
- Normal age-related changes
Negative prostate screening does not always rule out cancer. If you still experience symptoms such as severe urinary difficulties, blood in urine or semen, or persistent pelvic discomfort, further evaluation is needed.
Additional diagnostic tests may include advanced imaging such as MRI, or procedures like MRI-guided biopsy to provide a clearer diagnosis.
Testicular Cancer Checkup
There is no routine testicular cancer screening test for men. Instead, men are encouraged to perform monthly testicular self-exams to detect any changes in size, shape, or the presence of lumps or hard spots
A monthly testicular self-exam helps you notice unusual lumps, swellings, or changes, especially after a warm shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed. While it’s normal for one testis to hang lower or feel slightly different, any new changes should be checked by a doctor.
Lung Cancer Screening for Men
Lung cancer is a slow-developing disease that can take years to show noticeable symptoms. In its early stages, it is often silent. Screening fpr lung cancer in men is recommended for men between 50 and 80 years old with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years.
Lung cancer screening test is typically done with a yearly Low-Dose CT (LDCT) scan — a quick, painless imaging test that uses far less radiation than a regular chest CT. Early detection through LDCT can reveal very small nodules or spots in the lungs before symptoms appear, making treatment more effective and improving survival rates.
When to consider lung cancer screening test for men
- Are between 50 and 80 years old
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (for example, one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years)
- Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years
If you fall into this high-risk category, talk to your doctor about whether lung cancer screening is right for you and to understand both its benefits and potential risks.
Low-Dose CT (LDCT) Scan
The LDCT scan is a specialized type of CT scan that uses much less radiation than a regular chest CT. It takes only a few minutes, is painless, and does not require any injections. LDCT can detect very small spots or nodules in the lungs that may be an early sign of cancer, often before symptoms appear.
Colon Cancer Screening for Men
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. It usually develops slowly over several years. According to global statistics, colorectal cancer is among the top three most diagnosed cancers in men.
If colorectal cancer is detected early, treatment is far more effective, with survival rates above 90% in some types.
Men at average risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening at age 45, continuing through age 75, with options including annual stool-based tests (like FIT), CT colonography every five years, sigmoidoscopy every five years, or colonoscopy every ten years.
Colon cancer symptoms can be overlapped with symptoms of many other intestinal diseases which make regular colon screening crucial for healthy life and early discovery specially for men at high risks for colorectal cancer.
High risks people include:
- Are aged 45 or older.
- Have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
- Suffer from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
- Follow an unhealthy diet low in fiber and high in red or processed meat.
- Are overweight, physically inactive, smoke, or consume alcohol heavily.
Types of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
Stool-Based Tests
These tests are done at home and look for signs of cancer in the stool:
- gFOBT (Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test): Detects hidden blood in the stool using a chemical method; done every year.
- FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test): Uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool; also done every year.
- FIT-DNA Test (Stool DNA Test): Combines detection of blood with changes in DNA that may indicate cancer or polyps; done every 3 years.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A doctor uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube to examine the rectum and lower part of the colon for polyps or cancer. It is repeated every 5 years, or every 10 years if combined with yearly FIT.
Colonoscopy
Similar to sigmoidoscopy but examines the entire colon. Polyps can be removed during the same procedure. Colonoscopy is also used as a follow-up test if other screening results are abnormal. It is usually done every 10 years for people at average risk.
CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
This test uses CT scans to produce detailed images of the colon. It is less invasive than colonoscopy but still requires bowel preparation. If results are abnormal, a standard colonoscopy is needed. It is repeated every 5 years.
Skin Cancer Checkup for Men
A skin cancer check-up for men involves monthly self-exams and a professional clinical skin exam by a healthcare provider.
Regular skin checks are ideally performed every 3 to 12 months depending on your risk factors. Use a mirror to examine your whole body, including hidden areas like the scalp, armpits, between fingers and toes, and the soles of your feet. Watch for changes in moles or spots, such as shifts in color, size, shape, or symptoms like itching or bleeding. Early detection in both cases makes treatment more effective.
For women, a comprehensive women's health check-up or women wellness check up list, includes regular screenings for cancer
Cancer Screening for Men Over 40
- Prostate Cancer: If you are at high risk — for example, if you are African American or have a family history of prostate cancer before age 65 — you should consider starting screening around age 45.
- Colorectal Cancer: Beginning at age 45, you should talk to your healthcare provider about colorectal cancer screening. Depending on your risks, you may be advised to start with stool-based tests or a colonoscopy.
- Skin Cancer: Check your skin at home once a year and see a dermatologist if you notice unusual moles or changes, especially if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure, since melanoma risk increases with age.
Cancer Screening for Men Over 50
- Prostate Cancer: If you are at average risk, you can make an informed decision with your doctor about whether to start prostate cancer screening, usually beginning with a baseline PSA blood test.
- Colorectal Cancer: You should continue regular colorectal cancer screening. A common option is colonoscopy every 10 years, though your doctor may adjust the frequency depending on your test results and risk factors.
- Lung Cancer: If you are a current or former heavy smoker, ask your doctor if a low-dose CT scan is right for you.
Cancer Screening Package for Men at Turkey Luxury Clinics
At Turkey Luxury Clinics, we offer men’s cancer screening either as part of our health check-up packages or as a separate package. Our services are designed to help detect cancer at its earliest stages, all at affordable prices.This package is tailored to your age and personal risk factors and typically includes prostate cancer screening (PSA test), colorectal cancer screening (stool tests or colonoscopy), and, for heavy smokers, lung cancer screening with a low-dose CT scan. With expert medical guidance and a comfortable setting, Turkey Luxury Clinics provides you with peace of mind and the best chance for early detection and effective treatment.
Take care of your child’s health with a regular pediatric health check-up، and don’t delay giving your kids the care they need.