5 health issues men under 40 need to check

Here are five essential health checks if you are a man under 40.

1. Testicular examination

Although testicular cancer is relatively rare (accounting for just 1% of all cancers), it is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35. Lance Armstrong – a name synonymous with this type of cancer – was first diagnosed at the age of 25.

Armstrong is a prime example of the importance of early screening for testicular cancer - if caught early, the cure rate can be as high as 95%.

Ask your doctor to examine you, or do a monthly self-exam right after a warm bath, when the skin is loose. Using both hands, gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers, feeling for hard lumps, smooth round masses, or any changes in size or shape.

2. Check blood pressure

Second only to unintentional injuries, heart disease is the leading killer of men under 40. One of the biggest risk factors is untreated high blood pressure. About one-third of adults have high blood pressure, and one-fifth of them don't know it. Ignoring high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney and eye disease, and heart failure.

The ideal number to aim for is 120/80. If your blood pressure is 130/80 or higher, ask your doctor how you can improve your risk (for example, by reducing salt, saturated fat, and alcohol) without medication.

3. Check cholesterol

Cholesterol isn't all bad. In fact, our bodies need it to function. The trouble starts when you combine it with a high-fat diet and a sedentary lifestyle, plus genetics. Bad cholesterol (LDL) can clog arteries and reduce blood flow, leading to strokes or heart attacks.

Everyone over 35 should have their cholesterol checked. Start earlier, say in your 20s, if you have diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or a family history of these conditions.

Total cholesterol should be below 200mg/dL with LDL below 100 and HDL above 45. Two ways to improve cholesterol: add soluble fiber (e.g., oat bran, eggplant, beans) to your diet and increase your intake of unsaturated fats (e.g., almonds, pistachios).

4. Depression screening

Feeling sad sometimes is normal, but for some people, it can be dangerous. According to a 2008 CDC report, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death in men aged 35 to 44. This is because men often focus on their physical health and tend to hide their mental health. This is where a good relationship with your doctor can really save your life.

Talk to your doctor about stress, insomnia, and/or what’s going on in your life (e.g., a recent breakup or job loss). If you’re concerned, your doctor can work with you to break the cycle, including helping you find the right treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. If you’re severely depressed, you may also want to rule out biochemical causes with blood tests.

5. Skin cancer check

You've been told: Never go out without sunscreen. But how often do you reapply it while you're outside? If the answer is never, know this: Men are two to three times more likely to get basal cell carcinoma and non-melanoma squamous cell carcinoma than women. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, causes 48,000 deaths each year.

worldwide - is increasing in people between the ages of 20 and 40. That's why the American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend regular skin self-exams to detect any changes in skin spots in shape, color, and size.

The SpotCheck app (free on iTunes) lets you upload photos of your most concerning moles for review by a team of board-certified dermatologists. You’ll get a response within 24 hours as to whether you need to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist near you to discuss your suspicious moles.