Men’s health week is running from 15th – 21st June this year, so we wanted to share some important information about vaccinations and screening that are relevant to men in England.
AAA screening
- All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening the year they turn 65 as abdominal aortic aneurysm is far more common in men over 65.
- You will only have a AAA screening test once, unless an aneurysm is found.
- Most abdominal aortic aneurysms do not have any symptoms, so screening is the best way to find one.
- Finding an abdominal aortic aneurysm early reduces the chance of it bursting (rupturing), which can be life threatening.
Bowel screening
- Bowel cancer screening is done at home using a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer.
- It can help find cancer early, and before you have any symptoms, which may mean it’s easier to treat.
- Bowel cancer screening is currently offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 every 2 years. This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
- If you’re aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP, you’ll automatically get a bowel cancer screening home test kit (FIT kit) through the post every 2 years.
- If you’re aged 75 or over, you can ask for a home test kit every 2 years by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
- If you do not have a permanent home address, you can ask your GP surgery for your test kit to be sent to the GP surgery or to another address.
Diabetic eye screening
- The NHS invites everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over for diabetic eye screening.
- Diabetic eye screening is an important part of diabetes care. The NHS offerS screening as it helps to prevent sight loss.
- If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk of damage from a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Screening can detect retinopathy before you notice any changes to your vision.
- Diabetic eye screening is not part of your normal eye examinations with an optician. Screening does not look for other eye conditions. You should continue to visit your optician for regular eye examinations as well.
- How often you are invited depends on the results from your last 2 screening appointments. You will be invited for screening every 1 or 2 years if we do not find diabetic retinopathy.
HPV vaccination
- The HPV vaccine is offered to boys from year 8 in school (12-13 years) to help protect them from high-risk HPV related cancers
- HPV vaccination can protect men against cancers such as head and neck (mouth and throat) and penile cancers.
- HPV is a virus that is very common, anyone can get it in their lifetime. It is usually cleared by the body, but in some cases it can lead to cancer.
- The HPV virus has a number of low and high-risk strains. The high-risk strains can lead to cancer and the HPV vaccine protects against 9 of the most high-risk strains.
- If you have missed the vaccine when offered it at school, you can still get vaccinated up until your 25th birthday. Contact your GP practice to book an appointment.
- All boys born after 1st September 2009 who missed their vaccination can catch up at their GP practice until their 25th birthday.
- Find out more www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/
General vaccination
- There are a number of vaccinations available for adults, including the seasonal flu vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and shingles vaccines for people aged 65 and over and the RSV and seasonal COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 75 years and over.
- To find out if you are eligible for any of these vaccines, visit: NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS
- Some people with underlying health conditions may also be eligible for further vaccinations or vaccinations at an earlier age. Speak to your GP if you are unsure.