Many men only see a GP when something is properly wrong, or when a partner books the appointment for them. We would rather see you while you feel fine. Plenty of serious health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and early diabetes, cause no symptoms at all until they have been around for years.
Think of a Men’s Health Check as a service for your body: a look under the bonnet before anything breaks down. We set aside time to talk, ask questions and work out what makes sense for you.
What we look at
What we check depends on your age, your family history and how you live. A typical check covers the areas below.
Heart and metabolism
- Blood pressure and cholesterol, the quiet markers of heart health.
- Diabetes risk, using a blood test (HbA1c or a fasting glucose). Type 2 diabetes often goes unnoticed in its early stages.
- Heart and stroke risk. From 45 (or from 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men) we can work out your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next five years, and talk about what lowers it. Read more about heart health checks.
- CT calcium score. For some men whose risk is unclear, a coronary calcium scan can help sharpen the picture. Your GP can tell you whether it is worth doing and what it costs.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm. If you are over 65 and have ever smoked, your GP may talk to you about a one-off ultrasound to check the main artery in your abdomen.
Cancer screening
- Bowel cancer. The free home test kit is mailed every two years to people aged 50 to 74. Since 2024, people aged 45 to 49 can ask for one too. It is simple, private and done at home.
- Prostate health. The PSA blood test isn’t perfect. We go through its pros and cons so you can make an informed choice, especially if prostate cancer runs in your family.
- Skin. Get to know your own skin and tell us about any new or changing spot. If you have a higher risk, such as lots of moles, fair skin or a past skin cancer, we can arrange regular skin checks.
Mental health, alcohol and drugs
Depression in men doesn’t always look like sadness. It can show up as irritability, anger, drinking more, or burying yourself in work. We treat mental health with the same practical focus as a sore back. That can mean a Mental Health Treatment Plan, help with alcohol or other substances, or simply a confidential, non-judgemental place to talk.
Sexual and reproductive health
- Erection problems can be an early warning sign of heart and blood vessel disease. They are worth mentioning, and we won’t blink.
- Testicular checks. Testicular cancer is most common in younger men, roughly 15 to 35. We can show you how to check yourself and what to look out for.
Why it matters
Australian men are about three times more likely than women to die by suicide, and men are less likely to come in for screening. A partner nudging you through the door still counts. Even better, though, is booking the check yourself.
Support for men
- Healthy Male (healthymale.org.au): information on male reproductive and sexual health
- MensLine Australia, 1300 78 99 78: free 24/7 phone and online counselling for men
- The Men’s Table (themenstable.org): men meeting over a meal to share and connect
- Movember (movember.com): resources on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health