Although older adult men (age 65+) should schedule annual teats and screenings for skin cancer, colonoscopy, blood work and glaucoma- older adult males should also focus on two (2) male-specific tests: PSA (prostate specific antigen) and AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) screening. Note: For information on specific tests and screenings for both men and women combined, please click on the following phrase: medical tests and health screenings for older adult men and women combined. For women only, please click on the phrase: medical tests and health screenings for older adult women.
MEN
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) SCREENING
It is recommended by physicians that older adult men schedule at least a one-time test between the ages of 65 to 75. Those who are at special risk for this screening if they have or do smoke and/or have a first-degree relative who required repair of AAA. AAA is a dilation or a “ballooning” out of a section of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. A rupture of AAA can be life-threatening in a short period of time, although AAA can be treated with a variety of procedures. as such, AAA is most common among older adult men aged 65 to 75 and is even more prevalent among older adult men of this age range who were and or continue to be smokers. Current health or medical and/or family medical history may dictate that a patient schedule tests at an earlier age or schedule them at more frequent intervals.
What is ENDOVASCULAR REPAIR (as mentioned above): Endovascular repair consists of a small fabric tube with metal stents attached to the fabric that is threaded up through the groin arteries until it reaches the diseased portion of the aorta, where it is opened. It reinforces the blood vessel from the inside and creates a new channel through which the blood flows.
What is OPEN SURGICAL REPAIR: An incision is made in the abdomen to access the aneurysm. The diseased portion is replaced with a graft that acts as a replacement blood vessel.
PSA TEST
Most medical organizations recommend that men begin prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening with a physician between the age of forty (40) and fifty (50). The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends screenings for older adult men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who are in relatively good health and can expect to live at least ten (10) more years.
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