You’re a healthy guy. You eat right and exercise. You’ve never even had a cavity. You may be feeling invincible and think it’s no big deal to skip an annual wellness check. But not so fast. Preventive screenings are important for your health.

Screenings help find hidden health problems early, before you have symptoms and when they are easier to treat. If you have insurance, your health plan covers a number of preventive screenings* at no cost. That means you won’t have to pay anything when you go for your exam.

The type of screening tests you may need depend on your age and other risk factors. Use this guide to learn about the screening tests that are important for men to have for a long and healthy life.

Man Your Health: A Guide to Top Risks and How to Prevent Them

Cancer
Every year, more than 300,000 men lose their lives to cancer. The five most common cancers for men are skin, prostate, lung, bladder and colorectal. The facts drive home why regular screenings are so important. Talk to your doctor about which ones are best for you and how often you need them.

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. It mostly turns up late in life and has a wide range of treatments. For men aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to get regular screenings for prostate cancer should be an individual one, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. You should discuss your risks with your doctor and decide on the best plan of action for you.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. of both men and women. A screening can find precancerous growths called polyps so they can be removed before turning into cancer. If cancer is found, early treatment is effective in preventing death.

Do you smoke? Talk to your doctor about your lung health, and about ways to quit. Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S. Counseling for quitting smoking may be covered by your plan. Aids to help you quit, like nicotine patches, may be covered, too. Check your benefits.

If you’re over the age of 50, it’s time to get serious about cancer screenings. If some types of cancer run in your family, talk with your doctor about being screened earlier. Based on your results, your doctor will let you know when you should be screened again.

High Blood Pressure
A blood pressure check by a health professional is easy and painless – and important. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) doesn’t always have warning signs or symptoms. Get yours tested at least every two years starting at age 18.

If your blood pressure is high, or you have certain risk factors, your doctor may suggest more frequent checks. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep yours in check.

High Cholesterol
A simple blood test will let you know if your cholesterol levels are in the sweet spot. As with high blood pressure, high cholesterol doesn’t always have symptoms. Still, if yours is high, you have a higher risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Men over 35 should get their cholesterol tested regularly. If you are at risk for heart disease, a doctor may advise you to start earlier. Family genetics, your own medical history of heart issues, and the amount of stress in your life are some of the risk factors.

Type 2 Diabetes
If you have high blood pressure or a family history of Type 2 diabetes, be proactive and get tested for the disease. Without proper management, Type 2 diabetes can lead to other serious health issues. In fact, people who don’t know they have Type 2 diabetes have a much higher risk for stroke and heart disease.

Depression
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you feel sad and hopeless for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor about a screening for depression. Depression often gets worse if left untreated.

Get Started

This isn’t a complete list of all the preventive tests often covered by health plans at no charge to you. A good place to learn more about which screenings are right for you is a visit with your primary care physician or provider. Schedule a yearly exam and talk about screenings and a preventive care plan tailored to your health needs.

Don’t have a doctor? You can find a doctor or clinic that’s in your health plan’s network by logging in to Blue Access for Members^SM and going to Find Care, or you can use the BCBSNM App. The app is available in English and Spanish for iPhone and Android users. Download it from the Apple App Store  or Google Play.  

*Preventive services at no cost applies only to members enrolled in non-grandfathered health plans. You may have to pay all or part of the cost of preventive care if your health plan is grandfathered. To find out if your plan is grandfathered or non-grandfathered, call the customer service number on your member ID card.

Sources: Cancer Facts & Figures 2025,  American Cancer Society, 2025; Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer,  American Cancer Society, 2025; Prostate Cancer: Screening,  U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2018; When to Start Screening,  Fight Colorectal Cancer, 2024; High Blood Pressure  American Heart Association; About Cholesterol,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Type 2 Diabetes,  CDC, 2024