It is easy to put health on the back burner until something feels wrong. A better approach is to check the basics regularly, especially as you get older or if you have risk factors such as family history, excess weight, smoking, high stress, or long periods of sitting.
Below are five checkups worth prioritising through the year, with simple next steps for each.
1) Prostate Health Check
Prostate cancer risk rises with age and it is most common in men over 50. In the UK, Prostate Cancer UK estimates that around 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Cancer Research UK gives a higher lifetime estimate in newer modelling, closer to 1 in 6 for UK males born in 1961. Your personal risk can be higher if you have a close relative who has had prostate cancer, or if you are Black.
The most common first test is a PSA blood test, but it is not perfect. The NHS recommends discussing benefits and risks with a GP before testing because results can sometimes lead to further tests or treatment that may not be needed.
What to do
If you are over 50, have a family history, are Black, or have urinary changes that concern you, book a GP discussion about prostate symptoms and whether a PSA test is appropriate for you.
2) Testicular Self Check and Prompt Review of Changes
Testicular cancer is rare, but it is one of the more common cancers in younger men. Cancer Research UK reports around 2,400 new cases each year in the UK. Regular self checks help you notice changes early.
The NHS recommends checking when the scrotum is relaxed, often during or after a warm bath or shower. Look and feel for a new lump or swelling, a change in size, a feeling of heaviness, or a persistent ache.
What to do
Do a quick self check monthly and see a GP promptly if you notice any new lump, swelling, or ongoing discomfort.
3) Cardiovascular Risk Check
Many heart and circulation problems build silently over years. The strongest routine checks are blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, sleep, and activity levels.
If you live in England and are aged 40 to 74, you may be eligible for a free NHS Health Check every five years. It assesses your risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease, and includes measurements such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
What to do
Ask your GP surgery, local pharmacy, or local council about an NHS Health Check if you are eligible. If you already know you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, agree a review schedule with your clinician.
4) Diabetes Screening and Blood Sugar Review
Diabetes UK estimates that more than 5.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, including people who are not yet diagnosed. Risk is higher with age, excess weight, inactivity, a family history of diabetes, or high blood pressure.
The NHS also recommends using an NHS Health Check to understand your risk if you are aged 40 to 74 and do not have an existing related condition. Early identification can support lifestyle changes and reduce the chance of complications.
What to do
If you are over 40 or have risk factors, ask your GP about a blood sugar test, often HbA1c, or request an NHS Health Check if eligible.
5) Mental Health Check In
Mental health matters as much as physical health, but many men delay talking about it. UK data consistently shows suicide rates are much higher in men than women, and organisations such as the ONS and Samaritans highlight this gap.
A mental health check does not have to be formal. It can be a short GP conversation about mood, sleep, stress, irritability, alcohol use, and whether anxiety or depression could be playing a role. If things have felt persistently low, tense, or overwhelming for more than two weeks, it is worth speaking to someone.
What to do
Book a GP appointment if stress, low mood, panic, or burnout is affecting daily life. If you or someone you know needs urgent emotional support in the UK, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123.
A Simple Starting Point
- Book an NHS Health Check if you are eligible and have not had one in the last five years.
- Check blood pressure and cholesterol regularly, more often if previously high.
- Do a monthly testicular self check.
- Discuss prostate risk with a GP if you are over 50 or have higher risk factors.
- Take mental health seriously and speak up early if something feels off.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. If you have worrying symptoms, sudden severe pain, or symptoms that are getting worse, seek medical care promptly.
Sources
-
Prostate Cancer UK, About Prostate Cancer
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/risk-and-symptoms/about-prostate-cancer -
Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer Risk Factors and Lifetime Risk
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate-cancer/risk-factors -
NHS, PSA Test
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/ -
Cancer Research UK, Testicular Cancer Incidence
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/testicular-cancer -
NHS, How To Check Your Testicles
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-testicles/ -
NHS, NHS Health Check
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check/ -
Diabetes UK, Diabetes Statistics
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics -
Office for National Statistics, Suicides in England and Wales 2024 Registrations
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2024registrations -
Samaritans, Latest Suicide Data
https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/suicide-facts-and-figures/latest-suicide-data/
