With daily responsibilities, work, and family, many men let routine doctor appointments become low on the priority list. It’s easy to put your health off.
High rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are worth taking seriously—and your future is worth the time it takes to assess your health.
Be proactive now to improve your chances of thriving in daily life down the road.
Top Men’s Health Concerns in Iowa
Preventative care is the best way to achieve positive health outcomes for the most serious, and common, health threats for men in Iowa. The top health concerns in Iowa are:
- Heart Disease & Cardiovascular Health
- Cancer
- Diabetes & Obesity
- Mental Health
7 Proactive Health Steps:
Mahaska Health offers straight-to-the point steps to make sure you’re on track for a healthy future. Getting screened helps you catch concerns early and act, if needed.
For tests that require an appointment, the Mahaska Health family medicine team keeps your busy schedule in mind.
The 7 health steps and screenings below will help you stay on track for a healthy today and tomorrow.
1) Cholesterol Screening
High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but it can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to know your levels.
The Center for Disease Control advises that most healthy adults should get their cholesterol checked every 4–6 years.
Other factors may require that you get tested more frequently:
- Cardiovascular risks
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Family history
- Influences like smoking
Regular cholesterol screenings help you and your family medicine provider understand your cardiovascular health and determine if lifestyle changes or treatment are necessary.
2) Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and a leading cancer among men in Iowa. According to the Iowa Cancer registry report, prostate cancer accounts for roughly 14% of all new diagnoses in the state in 2026.
The good news? A simple blood test, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA test), can help screen for prostate cancer.
Men age 50 and older should discuss prostate cancer screening with their provider. Men at higher risk, including African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, may benefit from earlier screening beginning at age 45.
Look for these symptoms:
- Blood in urine or semen
- Needing to urinate more often
- Trouble getting started when trying to urinate
- Waking up to urinate more often at night
More advanced symptoms could appear as:
- Accidental urination
- Back or bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
If you meet the recommended criteria, you can receive PSA tests at Mahaska Health events or by scheduling an appointment with your family medicine provider.
3) Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is highly treatable when detected early.
Screening can find precancerous polyps before they become cancerous. It is recommended for most adults beginning at age 45.
You should seek evaluation as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- Persistent, unexplained changes in bowel habits (such as continuous diarrhea or constipation)
- Stomach pain, cramping, or gas that does not go away
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ongoing fatigue or weakness
Mahaska Health expert oncology and hematology specialists prioritize prevention, with early-stage treatments boasting up to a 90% survival rate.
4) Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Early detection can reduce high-risk lung cancers deaths by up to 20%.
According to the American Lung Association, the rate of new lung cancer cases, 60.3, higher than the national rate of 52.8.
Mahaska Health offers a CT lung screening test to detect early-stage lung cancer. The test, a low-dose CT scan, produces a set of images evaluating the lungs. It is one of the most effective ways to detect early-stage lung cancer for high-risk patients.
5) Blood Pressure Screening
High blood pressure may not cause symptoms. Often called the “silent killer,” the American Heart Association states that if untreated, high blood pressure can lead to:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Sexual dysfunction
- Heart disease
- Plaque buildup in arteries
Identify elevated blood pressure early and reduce the risk of serious health complications with a routine screening.
6) Diabetes Screening
Diabetes can develop gradually and may not cause noticeable symptoms at first. Getting tested is simple and fast. Depending on your risk factors, your doctor may help you choose:
- A1C Test: measures your average blood sugar over 3 months
- Fasting Plasma Glucose: checks blood sugar levels after not eating or drinking anything other than water for 8 hours
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: checks your blood sugar levels before and 2 hours after you drink a special sweet drink
Screening helps identify elevated blood sugar levels early, allowing for lifestyle changes and treatment before complications occur.
7) Annual Wellness Visit
An annual wellness visit is one of the best ways to stay proactive about your health.
It gives you time to review your overall health, discuss concerns, stay up to date on screenings and vaccinations, and create a plan for long-term wellness.
In addition to routine health screenings, blood pressure cholesterol, and fasting glucose checks, it’s also a time to check in on your mental health.
Men’s Health Event and Tractor Ride
In recognition of Men’s Health Month, June, Mahaska Health is hosting its 7th annual Men’s Health Screening Event and Tractor Ride.
The event will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Mahaska Health Fairgrounds. From 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Mahaska Health will provide free health screenings and educational resources. Tractors will be on display at the Fairgrounds during the health fair, with the annual tractor ride departing at 10:00 am.
During the event, guests can get free screenings, including:
- Cholesterol tests
- Blood pressure checks
- Sleep assessments
- PSA testing
Register for the event here: mahaskahealth.org/tractorride
Mahaska Health
While it may be tempting to put screenings and checkups off, early detection remains one of the most effective tools for preventing and treating many of the health conditions that affect men.
Mahaska Health is here to provide the care you need.
Schedule an appointment at 641.672.3360 or attend the Men’s Health Screening Event and Tractor Ride to learn more.
