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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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In this Article

• Disease prevention in men introduction
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Cancer of colon and rectum /polyps of colon and rectum
• Prostate cancer
• Glaucoma
• Melanoma and other skin cancers
• Bladder cancer
• Disease Prevention in Men Index

Glaucoma is a condition with abnormally elevated intra-ocular pressures (pressure within the eyes.)

Tonometry: (eye pressure measurements) an eye care specialist  is required for adequate examination.

• A check-up for vision does not always measure intra-ocular pressure.
  
  
• Measurement of intra-ocular pressure should be a standard component of a comprehensive eye examination.

Who to test and how often

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's recommended intervals for eye exams, including glaucoma screening, are:

• Age 20-29: Individuals of African descent or with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every three to five years. Others should have an eye exam at least once during this period.
  
  
• Age 30-39: Individuals of African descent or with a family history of glaucoma should have an eye examination every two to four years. Others should have an eye exam at least twice during this period.
  
  
• Age 40-64: Every two to four years.
  
  
• Age 65 or older: Every one to two years.

Benefits of early detection

• Glaucoma causes extensive damage to the retina and irreversible loss of vision without waning symptoms and before the individual becomes aware of loss of vision.
  
  
• There is good evidence that treatment of elevated eye pressure in glaucoma can prevent blindness.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer

• Total body skin examination

Who to test and how often

The American Cancer Society recommends a skin check every 3 years between the ages of 20 and 40, and a skin check annually over age 40.

Adults with higher than normal risk for melanoma should be particularly vigilant to include individuals who:

• have a family history of melanoma;
  
  
• are middle-aged adults with frequent sun exposure;
  
  
• have a history of serious or frequent sunburn (childhood sunburn is particularly risky);
  
  
• have more than 50 moles; and
  
  
• have fair skin.

See a doctor if the mole has the following characteristics:

• diameter more than 6mm;
  
  
• asymmetric (meaning an uneven shape);
  
  
• irregular border; and
  
  
• variable color pattern, meaning many colors or unusual colors, such as blue or black.

Benefits of early detection

Skin cancer is the most common cancer. Even though the benefit of skin cancer screening is uncertain (so far research has not shown that death from skin cancer can be decreased after a regular screening program is instituted), early treatment of skin cancer can be effective. Melanomas may be detected at a thinner stage with regular skin exams. Thinner melanomas are more successfully treated than are thick ones that have grown downward into the deeper portions of the skin.