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Insurance and health: preventive health check-ups for men
Early detection can save lives: preventive health check-ups for men
Prevention is better than cure, particularly when it comes to health. Let’s take a closer look at why preventive health check-ups for men are so important.
Why preventive health check-ups are important
Preventive health check-ups are an essential part of men’s healthcare. They enable medical professionals to detect diseases at an early stage and treat them in time, which can not only improve quality of life but also extend life expectancy. What’s more, health benefits aside, check-ups can also be advantageous from an insurance and financial perspective.
Insurance benefits
Regular preventive check-ups are good for your wallet as well as your health. Many insurance providers reward policyholders for having preventive check-ups with premium discounts or special rates. In Switzerland, compulsory health insurance covers certain preventive check-ups, such as colonoscopies for early cancer detection, but often only with a doctor’s referral. That’s why it’s always advisable to check the details of which costs are covered.
Health benefits and risks
The health benefits of preventive check-ups are numerous. Men have a higher risk of developing certain conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and various types of cancer, and regular check-ups can help reduce these risks and detect diseases at an early stage. If there’s a family history of conditions like prostate or bowel cancer, it may be advisable to start screening earlier.
What’s the difference between a general health check-up and a specific preventive examination?
A general health check-up includes a comprehensive assessment of your overall health. This includes:
Checking your blood pressure
Taking blood and urine samples
Conducting a physical examination
Specific preventive examinations, on the other hand, focus on the early detection of certain diseases, such as prostate or bowel cancer.
How a preventive examination works
Medical history: Analysis of your medical history, existing symptoms and genetic predispositions. Your lifestyle, diet, daily physical activity levels, alcohol consumption and smoking habits will also be assessed.
Physical examination: identification of visible and palpable abnormalities, by listening to your heart and lungs, checking your blood pressure and palpating your abdomen.
Blood test: checking values such as cholesterol and blood sugar and assessing how well your liver and kidneys are functioning.
Urine test: examination of your urine for infections and other health issues such as kidney disease, diabetes and urinary tract infections.
Cardiovascular check: blood pressure measurement and, if necessary, an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart function and detect potential disorders. A stress ECG may also be performed to identify potential circulatory issues affecting the heart.
Consultation and discussion of findings: your doctor will explain the results, provide recommendations regarding possible treatments or adjustments to your lifestyle and plan further steps if necessary.
Recommended preventive examinations by age bracket
| From the age of 20 | A one-off general health check-up to assess your health status and detect risk factors. This includes checking your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Advice on lifestyle factors (nutrition, exercise, stress management). |
| From the age of 30 | Regular screening for early detection of skin cancer. If you have a family history of skin cancer or work in a profession with high level of sun exposure, screening every two years is recommended. |
| From the age of 35 | A general health check-up every three years, including blood and urine tests and a cardiovascular assessment. |
| From the age of 40 | Eye examinations every two years for early detection of vision problems and eye diseases such as glaucoma. It’s also advisable to have your cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly from now on, as the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases once you turn 40. If you have risk factors such as being overweight, smoking or any genetic predispositions, an ECG and a stress ECG are recommended. |
| From the age of 45 | Annual prostate examination for early detection of prostate cancer (this varies from patient to patient, particularly regarding prostate-specific antigen [PSA] tests). Additionally, regular blood sugar checks are recommended for early detection of diabetes, especially if you have risk factors such as being overweight, smoking or a family history of diabetes. |
| From the age of 50 | A colonoscopy every ten years for early detection of bowel cancer if no abnormalities are found. Alternatively, an annual stool analysis (faecal immunochemical test or FIT). From the age of 50, regular health check-ups are recommended to detect and treat potential health problems early. A healthy lifestyle and routine check-ups go hand in hand; together, they can significantly reduce the risk of serious diseases. |
How often should I have a prostate and colon examination?
Prostate examination: every year from the age of 45 (following an individual assessment).
Colon examination: A colonoscopy every ten years from the age of 50, provided no abnormalities are detected. Alternatively, an annual FIT.
Early cancer detection
Skin cancer screening: every two years from the age of 30 (or earlier, depending on where you live).
Prostate cancer: annual examination from the age of 45 (PSA test following individual consultation).
Bowel cancer: colonoscopy every ten years from the age of 50.
Basic insurance in Switzerland: What’s covered?
Compulsory health insurance in Switzerland covers the costs of certain preventive examinations, including:
General health check-ups: If deemed necessary by your doctor. The check-up will include looking at your blood pressure, blood tests and any basic examinations prescribed by your doctor.
Prostate examinations: Annually from the age of 45 (only on referral, if you’re presenting any symptoms or if you have a genetic predisposition). A rectal examination and PSA test are included.
Colonoscopy for early detection of bowel cancer: Every ten years from the age of 50. In cases of genetic predisposition, costs are covered from an earlier age.
Cardiovascular system: Costs are covered for ECGs and stress ECGs if your doctor deems necessary due to existing risk factors.
Early detection of diabetes: costs are covered by basic insurance if risk factors such as genetic predisposition or being overweight are present.
Skin cancer screening: costs are covered in cases of increased risk, such as prolonged exposure to direct sunlight in a professional capacity.
Eye examinations: covered by basic insurance in cases of increased personal risk.
Mental health
Prevention should not be limited to physical health; your mental health is just as important. Regular check-ups with your doctor to look for signs of depression, burnout or stress can help with early intervention.
Conclusion
Preventive check-ups are a key element of healthcare for men, and aside from the obvious health benefits, they also offer insurance-related advantages. It’s important to consider your individual risks and family history when planning examinations. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you to protect your health in the long term and improve your quality of life.
Why you should contact your insurance advisor now
Hopefully, reading this article has shown you how important it is to have regular medical check-ups. However, not all examinations are automatically covered by compulsory basic insurance. For example, if there’s no history of a particular health issue in your family, certain preventive measures won’t be covered at any age. To ensure optimal insurance coverage, regardless of your age or medical history, we recommend you contact your personal advisor at Union Swiss Brokers Holding AG.
Book a consultation and find out how the right insurance products can help you protect your health while also offering financial benefits. Your advisor is always available to provide guidance and assist you in making the best decisions for your future.
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