Disclosure: I’m an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner. This post contains links where I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure at the end.
A note before we start. This post is general information to help you have a better conversation with your GP. It is not medical advice and it is not a substitute for seeing a doctor. Which tests you need, and how often, depends on your age, family history and health, and only your GP can decide that with you. Nothing in this post, including the LifeWave X39 patch, is a replacement for any check or treatment. The X39 is a non-transdermal, general-wellness phototherapy patch that gently stimulates the skin with light to support the body’s natural energy flow for strength and stamina. It is not a treatment for any condition.
Today is the first of November. For a lot of men, that means a month of growing a moustache for charity.
The moustache is the fun part. The point of Movember is the bit most of us avoid: actually booking the health checks we’ve been putting off for years.
I’m Dave. I’m 50. I track my body composition monthly and I wear a WHOOP every day, but none of that replaces a proper check with a doctor. Here are the checks worth asking your GP about after 40, and why each one matters.
Key takeaways
- Many of the biggest risks for men over 40 have no symptoms until late. That’s why checks matter.
- The core checks: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and waist size.
- Have an informed conversation with your GP about prostate testing, especially with a family history.
- Do the free national bowel screening test when you’re invited.
- Your mental health counts as a health check too.
What is Movember actually about?
Movember started in Melbourne in 2003 and has grown into one of the biggest men’s health charities in the world. It focuses on three areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
The bigger message is simple. Men tend to see doctors less often than women, and tend to show up later when something is wrong. Many of the conditions that hit men in midlife are far easier to deal with when caught early.
Why do men over 40 avoid health checks?
Some honest reasons I hear, and have used myself:
- “I feel fine.” High blood pressure, high cholesterol and early type 2 diabetes usually feel like nothing at all.
- “I don’t have time.” A GP visit takes less time than most of us spend scrolling in a day.
- “I don’t want to know.” Understandable, but knowing early is what gives you options.
- Cost or hassle. Worth checking what your GP, health insurance or employer offers. Some checks are free.
Blood pressure: the silent one
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart attack and stroke, and it rarely causes symptoms. The only way to know is to measure it.
Ask your GP to check it, and ask how often you should have it rechecked. Many pharmacies will also check it. A home blood pressure monitor is a useful tool if your GP suggests one.
Cholesterol and blood fats
A simple blood test shows your cholesterol levels. Your GP will look at the full picture, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides, alongside your blood pressure, smoking, family history and other factors to estimate your overall heart risk.
If you’ve never had one, or it’s been years, this is a sensible thing to ask about.
Blood sugar
Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly over years. A blood test, often an HbA1c, can show whether your blood sugar is in a healthy range, creeping up, or already high.
Risk goes up with age, belly fat, family history and inactivity. The good news: in the early stages, lifestyle changes can make a big difference. See my guide to metabolic health after 40.
Waist size and weight
Your waist measurement says a lot about the fat around your organs, which is linked with heart disease and diabetes. It costs nothing to measure.
Measure around your middle, roughly level with your belly button. For European men, a waist of 94cm (about 37 inches) or more is widely used as a sign of increased risk. If you’re over that, it’s worth raising with your GP.
I track my body composition monthly on a Hume Pod. It’s useful for spotting trends, but it isn’t a medical test.
Prostate: have the conversation
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Ireland doesn’t have a national prostate screening programme, because the main blood test, the PSA test, has real pros and cons. It can catch cancers early, but it can also lead to worry and further tests for cancers that would never have caused harm.
That’s why the right move is an informed conversation with your GP, especially if:
- Your father or brother had prostate cancer.
- You’re of Black African or Caribbean descent, which is linked with higher risk.
- You have symptoms, like needing to pee more often, a weak flow, or getting up at night to go.
Don’t wait for symptoms to start the conversation.
Bowel screening
Bowel cancer is far more treatable when caught early. In Ireland, BowelScreen is a free national programme that sends a simple home test kit to people in the eligible age group.
If the letter arrives, do the test. It takes a few minutes. And at any age, see your GP if you notice blood in your stool, a lasting change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.
Testicles and skin
Testicular cancer is most common in younger men, but every man should know what’s normal for him. A quick check in the shower once a month is enough. See your GP about any lump, swelling or change.
Skin cancer is common in Ireland. Ask your GP to look at any mole that’s new, changing, itchy or bleeding.
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This is the part men skip most. Low mood, constant stress, drinking more than you used to, losing interest in things you enjoyed, or sleeping badly for weeks are all worth talking about.
Your GP is a good first step. So is talking to a friend you trust. If you’re struggling, Samaritans are available any time in Ireland and the UK on 116 123. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.
How to make the most of your GP visit
- Write down your questions before you go. It’s easy to forget in the room.
- Know your family history. Heart disease, diabetes and cancers in parents and siblings all matter.
- Be honest about drinking, smoking and how you’re really feeling.
- Ask what to recheck and when, then put it in your calendar.
Checks find problems. Daily habits help prevent them. Strength training, daily steps, sleep and a sensible diet do the heavy lifting. Alongside those, I wear a LifeWave X39 patch daily as part of my general wellness routine. It is not a substitute for any of the checks in this post.
Frequently asked questions
What health checks should a man over 40 get?
Commonly discussed checks include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and waist measurement, plus a conversation about prostate testing and bowel screening when eligible. Your GP will tailor this to you.
Should I get a PSA test?
It’s a personal decision to make with your GP, weighing the benefits and downsides, especially if you have a family history or symptoms.
How often should I check my blood pressure after 40?
Ask your GP. Many men are advised to have it checked at least yearly, and more often if it’s raised.
What is Movember?
A men’s health charity, founded in 2003, focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
Is BowelScreen free in Ireland?
Yes. It’s a free national programme that posts a home test kit to people in the eligible age group.
Can a wearable replace a health check?
No. Wearables are useful for trends like sleep and activity, but they can’t replace blood tests or a doctor’s examination.
Related reading
- Metabolic Health After 40
- Biological Age: What It Is and How to Lower It
- The Nervous System Reset
- Daily Habits That Slow Ageing
Full disclosure. This testimonial and editorial is given by an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner with a financial interest in promoting LifeWave products. I may earn a commission from links in this post. This article is general information, not medical advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Movember charity. The LifeWave X39 patch is a non-transdermal, general-wellness phototherapy patch and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always speak to your doctor about health checks and symptoms.
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