The conditions that tend to affect men most in this stage of life often develop without any warning at all - which is why this is such an important time to know your options. This page outlines the screening options most relevant to you, what each involves, and who tends to benefit most, so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor about what's right for you.
Talk to your GP or specialist about which options make sense for your health picture. If imaging is appropriate, they can refer you to ARG Te Tai Tokerau - a referral is required before booking any screening.
Please note: These are imaging-based pathways available within our private radiology setting. They are in addition to, and do not replace other screening programmes offered through Health New Zealand.
Screening options
For men at higher-than-average risk of prostate cancer - for example, if you have an elevated PSA result or other indicators flagged by your doctor - an MRI of the prostate can be a really valuable next step.
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate gland, measured through a simple blood test. Elevated levels can point towards cancer, but can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like inflammation or an enlarged prostate - which is where MRI comes in. It provides a detailed, radiation-free picture of the prostate that helps doctors understand what's actually going on, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary biopsies and guiding any further investigation to exactly the right area.
If you've had an elevated PSA result and are wondering about next steps, it's worth asking your doctor whether an MRI prostate is appropriate for you.
CT Colonography is a safe, effective, and considerably more comfortable alternative to traditional colonoscopy for bowel cancer screening - with no sedation required, a shorter procedure, and a faster recovery.
It can detect bowel cancer and other conditions early - often before any symptoms appear - when treatment tends to be most straightforward and successful. In New Zealand, access to conventional colonoscopy can be limited and wait times long, so CT Colonography offers a timely and reliable alternative that helps more men access bowel screening without unnecessary delay.
For men at low risk, CT Colonography every five years is a sensible way to screen for bowel cancer and changes to the colon and rectum. If you're at higher risk - due to family history, previous polyps, or other factors - it's worth discussing with your doctor whether to start earlier or screen more frequently.
It's also worth staying aware of how your body feels day to day. Things worth mentioning to your doctor include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool, ongoing abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, or unusual tiredness. These don't necessarily mean something serious, but they're always worth getting checked.
CT Colonography is a fast, accurate, and less invasive alternative to colonoscopy. See the comparison below for more information.
If you currently smoke, or smoked in the past - an annual low-dose CT (LDCT) is worth thinking about, even if you feel completely well and have no symptoms.
LDCT is a quick, non-invasive scan that can detect lung cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop and when treatment options are at their broadest. It uses less radiation than a standard CT and requires no injections or sedation - you can get on with your day straight afterwards.
For men at increased risk, it's a straightforward and proactive way to keep a closer eye on lung health, and to act early if anything needs attention. If lung screening sounds right for you, your first step is a conversation with your GP - ask about a referral to ARG Te Tai Tokerau Radiology.
Cardiovascular disease often develops without any obvious warning signs - and for some men, risk can be higher than they realise, even if they feel perfectly well. You may be at increased risk if you have one or more of the following:
- Diabetes, which increases inflammation and can speed up artery damage
- A family history of early heart disease
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- A history of smoking
- Long-term stress, low activity levels, or excess weight
- Age - particularly from 50 onwards
In men with these risk factors, cardiovascular disease can develop earlier and progress more quickly, and symptoms may be subtle or absent until later stages.
A CT Calcium Score is a specialised scan that detects calcium deposits in the arteries supplying your heart - a direct sign of plaque buildup that can narrow or block blood flow, raising your risk of coronary artery disease, angina, or heart attack. Importantly, it can find this before any symptoms appear, giving you and your care team time to act.
What makes it particularly useful is that it gives a concrete picture of what's actually happening in your arteries, rather than estimating risk based on lifestyle factors alone. From around age 50, a CT Calcium Score is worth discussing with your doctor or cardiologist as part of understanding and managing your cardiovascular health.
An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a painless widening of the main blood vessel in the abdomen. It often causes no symptoms at all - but if it goes undetected and continues to grow, it can become serious.
The good news is that a simple, non-invasive abdominal ultrasound is usually all it takes to either rule one out or identify it early, when it can be safely monitored or treated.
We recommend men aged 65–75 consider a one-off abdominal aorta ultrasound to screen for AAA - particularly if you have a strong family history of aneurysm, a history of smoking, or certain genetic or connective tissue conditions. If you're concerned about your individual risk at any age, it's worth raising with your doctor, who can refer you for a vascular ultrasound if appropriate.
A DEXA scan measures bone density and body composition, and can be a useful tool when your bone health may be affected by medical conditions, medications, or your lifestyle factors.
It's commonly recommended as a baseline or monitoring tool for men who have any of the following:
- A hormone-affecting condition such as Cushing's Syndrome, Hyperparathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes, or Hypogonadism
- On medication known to affect bone density, such as alendronate, risedronate, teriparatide, or MHT/HRT
- A history of heavy drinking, smoking, or drug use
- A digestive condition which affects absorption, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- A minor fracture after the age of 50
These factors can quietly affect bone strength and muscle mass - often before any symptoms become obvious.It's quick, non-invasive, and uses very low radiation. Results are always reviewed alongside your wider health picture. A DEXA scan means more informed conversations with your doctor, leading to more targeted next steps.
You may have heard that WB-MR is able to ‘check for everything’ and find disease early. While it can be used for screening or early detection in some situations it is not a complete test for all diseases, and it's important to understand its limitations.
Currently there is no evidence to demonstrate significant improvement to your health outcomes using whole‑body MRI as a screening tool. It can also identify incidental or low‑risk findings that may lead to unnecessary anxiety and follow‑up tests. In addition to this, not all diseases are detectable on whole‑body MRI - particularly in the early stages - which can offer you false reassurance.
Whole-body MRI may be appropriate:
- As part of specialist-led care or surveillance
- In high-risk genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (inherited TP53 loss)
- For specific medical reasons, such as inflammatory or systemic disease
We recommend screening that is targeted, and evidence based, matched to your own risk profile, and using imaging that’s known to improve outcomes (such as bowel, lung and the other screening options defined above).
If you believe a whole-body MRI may be appropriate for you, please discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and suitability of the test with your doctor and arrange a referral to book your appointment with us.