CHECK Berlin/Brandenburg #7

Health
ENGLISH
Medical check-ups for men
7 check-ups for you to tackle
Statistically speaking, men die around five years earlier than women. This may also
be due to the fact that they tend to shy away from going to the doctor on a regular
basis. After all, we're “real” guys and would rather clench our teeth and only go to the
doctor when it really hurts. But prevention is worthwhile, especially when it comes to
diseases that reduce our quality of life enormously when they break out.
SKIN CANCER
From the age of 35 you can have your skin
examined for cancer every two years, which is
covered by health insurance in Germany. Dermatologists
or general practitioners with additional
training look for abnormalities with the naked
eye and check for melanomas and carcinomas.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Here it is very important to recognize risk factors
as early as possible. The term cardiovascular
diseases includes all diseases of the heart and
blood vessels. They appear in many ways and range
from high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and
cardiac arrhythmias to heart failure and heart
attacks. Cardiac check-ups are recommended in
international guidelines from the age of 40.
PROSTATE CANCER
Statutory insured men in Germany are entitled
to an annual check-up for the early detection of
prostate cancer from the age of 45. During the
examination, the size of the prostate is determined
and it is checked whether it is hardened. And
don't be alarmed: by exerting pressure on the
prostate, a spontaneous orgasm with ejaculation
can occur.
COLON CANCER
In Germany, from the age of 50, you are entitled
to an immunological stool test per year. You can
detect blood in the stool, which can indicate
colon tumors and precursors of colon cancer.
From the age of 55 you can also choose to have
a colonoscopy. Here a flexible tube with a light
source and a camera is inserted through the
anus into the intestine to view the inside of the
large intestine.
ANAL CANCER
This form of cancer is relatively rare compared
to colon cancer, but its development can be
related to sexually transmitted viral infections.
Early diagnosis by a proctologist is important in
order to have good prospects of recovery and to
reduce or prevent symptoms.
TESTICULAR CANCER
There is no special screening test for testicular
cancer. The semi-annual self-examination is
particularly recommended from the age of 27
and/or if the family has already had
testicular cancer.
Find the
GLAUCOMA
right doctors
Glaucoma is an eye disease
on pages
that is associated with a steady 104-109.
deterioration in eyesight. Many
ophthalmological practices offer an
examination for early detection. If there
is no increased risk and no suspicion of illness,
however, the health insurance does not cover
the examination.
HEARING TEST
A hearing test should actually be part of the
annual routine examination, regardless of age,
because the earlier hearing loss is detected, the
better! (ts,mb)
Talk to your general practitioner to find
out which individual preventive checkups
make sense for you and how you
can make use of the services.
16 CHECK BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #7