Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have ever smoked tobacco should get screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An imaging test, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, can help determine the presence, size, and extent of an aortic aneurysm. The major risk of this aortic bulging is a rupture resulting in severe or fatal internal bleeding.

All men 35 or older should get their blood cholesterol levels checked regularly. Men who use tobacco; are overweight or obese; have a relative who had a heart attack before the age of 50; or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart disease should get their cholesterol checked much earlier, at the age of 20. There are several measures of cholesterol, and all are important in determining heart disease risk.

Every man should have their blood pressure checked regularly, and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors should check their blood pressure more frequently. This can be performed at your doctor’s office. High blood pressure is the biggest risk for heart disease and a significant risk for other serious health conditions.

All men should get screened for colorectal (colon or rectal) cancer by age 50, but African-Americans should start at age 45. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should get a colonoscopy even sooner. There are several different tests that can help detect colon cancer, but colonoscopy continues to be the gold standard.

Men who have high blood pressure or take medication to control their high blood pressure should get screened for diabetes (high blood sugar). Anyone experiencing symptoms of persistently severe thirst, frequent urination, unexpected weight loss, increased hunger, and tingling in the hands or feet also should talk to their doctor about getting tested. The preferred screening for diabetes is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar over the last three months.

The latest CDC estimates of new HIV infections indicate that African Americans, more than any other racial/ethnic group, continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV in the United States. CDC's Dr. William L. Jeffries IV discusses the impact of HIV on African Americans and what actions can be taken in commemoration of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Using a BMI calculator to determine your body mass index (BMI) is usually a reliable, but not conclusive, indicator of whether you’re at a healthy weight. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy, a BMI above 25 is overweight, and a BMI greater than 30 is obese. If you have a high BMI, your doctor may use one or more other methods to help further assess whether you are overweight or obese. These include: measuring waist circumference; using a caliper to measure skinfold thickness above the hip and estimate body fat percentage; or bioelectric impedance, which involves sending a safe dose of electricity through the body to measure body fat percentage.

Recommendations regarding prostate cancer screening, particularly PSA screening, vary widely among health care professionals. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening to determine what is best for you. Patients who opt for screening typically undergo the following two tests:

• Digital rectal examination (DRE) – The physician inserts a finger into the rectum to feel whether the prostate gland is enlarged or has any lumps.

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test – The PSA test measures the blood level of a certain protein that is produced by the prostate gland, and can be elevated in men with prostate cancer.