As you get older, it can take a while to realise you’re not bulletproof when it comes to your health. Especially if you’re putting off important checkups or taking a “she’ll be right” attitude towards any symptoms you’re experiencing. However, there are some health screenings to keep in mind with each additional candle on the birthday cake, to catch any concerns before they’re too late to fix.
Health checks at home
Be proactive about your health by doing a few simple self-checks every so often.
Testicular self-examination
Find more information on testicular cancer here.
Skin check
Men have a 70% chance of developing skin cancer in their lifetime and make up 69% of deaths from skin cancer. Regularly checking your skin will help you get to know what’s normal for you so you can notice any changes.
Find more information and images of skin cancer and its signs here.
Mental health
On average, one in eight men will have depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives. Recognising the symptoms of these common and serious mental health conditions is important. You might associate depression with sadness and hopelessness, but symptoms also include irritability and anger, unnecessary risk-taking, and alcohol or drug abuse. Beyond Blue’s Mind Quiz is a completely confidential way to check in on your mental wellbeing and helps you keep tabs on how well you’re sleeping, whether you’re experiencing physical symptoms like difficulty breathing or tension in your body, how often you’re feeling stressed or low, and how you’re reacting to challenges. If you’re struggling, chat with your doctor as soon as possible. If you need help now, call Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), or MensLine (1300 78 99 78) anytime, anywhere in Australia.
What to chat to your doctor about
Sexual health
It’s a good idea for anyone who is sexually active to have regular sexual health checks, but especially when you change sexual partners, you’ve had unsafe sex, your partner has recently had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or you think you might have an STI. Not all STIs have obvious symptoms so there’s a chance you, or your sexual partner, could have one without knowing it. STIs can also have serious long-term complications if they go untreated so it’s well worth getting over any awkwardness you might feel. You can get tested at your GP or a sexual health clinic, where they’ll chat about your sexual history and often take a urine sample. Sometimes your sexual health check might include a swab or blood test. The whole process is private, confidential and health professionals are trained to make it as comfortable as possible.
Pre-conception
If you’re thinking about starting a family in the next 12 months, chat to your doctor about doing a pre-conception health check. There are many things that can affect your fertility, including being overweight, smoking, older age, STIs and exposure to harmful chemicals. These factors won’t just reduce the chance of pregnancy they can also affect the health of your baby, so it’s important to get on top of them early. Your doctor will chat with you about any changes you need to make to your health and tests you might need.
Heart health
If you’re 45 and over, or 30 and over if you’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should have a heart health check. This will involve checking your blood pressure, cholesterol levels (with a blood test), body mass index (BMI), and, if your health and medical history require it, an electrocardiogram (ECG). Many men aren’t aware of the risk factors or early symptoms of cardiovascular disease, so it’s important to work with a GP to keep on top of your heart health.
Bowel cancer
Over 90% of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully if found early but that occurs in fewer than 50% of cases. Your risk of bowel cancer increases as you get older and at 50 you should start screening for the disease, even if you have no symptoms. Every two years (until you turn 74) the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will send you a free, easy test kit in the mail that you can do at home. From 45 you can request a free kit to be sent to you.
Type 2 diabetes
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases for men after you hit 50, or 35 if you’re from an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background. Factors like poor diet, family history, physical inactivity, and being overweight or obese, can also increase your risk of developing the condition. Depending on your risk level and doctor’s advice, you may need to be tested annually or once every three years. Strong evidence shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to 58% of cases in the high risk (pre-diabetes) population by eating well and exercising, so these screenings are critical for catching the issue early. You can understand your risk of developing type 2 diabetes here and take this information to your next doctor’s appointment.
Bone density
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones lose minerals such as calcium more quickly than the body can replace them, making them more fragile. You often won’t realise you have osteoporosis until a bump or fall leaves you with a fracture. If you’re 70 or over, talk to your doctor about getting bone density testing, which is measured with a dual-energy absorptiometry scan or DXA. If you have low testosterone or have broken a bone from a minor fall, you’ll need to be tested earlier. If osteoporosis is diagnosed early and treated, bone loss can be slowed down. All men should understand and manage the risk factors for osteoporosis you can control as you get older, such as not being physically active, low muscle mass and strength, smoking, high alcohol intake and an unhealthy diet.
Eye health
Most eye conditions that affect men develop gradually and without obvious symptoms — by the time you notice a problem, damage may already be done. Glaucoma, for example, is one of the leading causes of blindness in Australia, yet causes no pain and no early vision loss. A routine eye check is the only way to catch it. From age 50, talk to your optometrist about a baseline eye assessment covering glaucoma, macular degeneration, and age-related vision changes. If you have a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you should be checked earlier. Most optometry visits are covered wholly or partially by Medicare.
Hearing
Hearing loss is one of the most common — and most ignored — health issues affecting Australian men. Occupational noise exposure, age, and lifestyle all take a toll, often so gradually you don’t notice until it’s significant. From age 50, ask your GP for a referral to an audiologist for a baseline hearing assessment. If you’ve worked in construction, mining, manufacturing, or any high-noise environment, don’t wait — get checked earlier. Untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline, depression, and social withdrawal, so catching it early matters well beyond your ears.
Should I have prostate cancer screening?
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with around 79 men diagnosed every day. Screening for prostate cancer involves a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test — a Medicare-covered blood test that measures a protein produced by the prostate.
Australia’s guidelines have recently been updated significantly. The 2025 draft guidelines — developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia after two years of expert review, and currently pending final NHMRC approval — recommend:
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, or are of sub-Saharan African ancestry, your risk is higher — discuss earlier and more frequent testing with your GP.
Priority population health checks
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 715 Health Check
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages can get their free 715 health check at Aboriginal Medical Services and bulk-billing clinics. This health check helps identify whether you’re at risk of illnesses or chronic conditions. It’s much easier to prevent these than to treat them, so catching them early can make a big difference
At the appointment, a healthcare worker will ask you about your health and your family medical history. They will gather information about your health through a full assessment. You’ll talk about a plan to stay in good health. All up, the 715 health check should take under an hour.
If you have a chronic condition, your health check can help make sure you are getting the medication and care you need. You can also ask your healthcare worker about anything you’re worried about or need help with.
Veterans’ Health Check
A Veterans’ Health Check is a comprehensive health assessment with your GP to help you better understand and optimise your health and wellbeing. It provides an opportunity to access early intervention care and appropriate referrals when you need it.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs have developed a comprehensive Veterans’ Health Check guide to assist GPs to support the Veteran community. You can ask your GP to use this guide. It is also contained in the software of most GP practices. It can also be found online at Veteran Health Check Providers or by searching ‘Veterans Health Check’.
Veterans’ health checks are confidential and your results will not be shared with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs unless you ask your GP.
Health Assessments for People with an Intellectual Disability
People with intellectual disability can get a health assessment once a year that is supported by Medicare. The annual health assessment helps identify unmet health needs and preventable conditions. People with intellectual disability should go to their usual doctor for their annual health assessment. Going to the same doctor or clinic each time will help health professionals to understand the person’s health needs. It is recommended to book a long (45-60 minutes) appointment for the annual health assessment and asking the practice if a practice nurse will be available to support it.
