Health
Want to stay healthy after 40? Doctors say men should consider 14 medical tests
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Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases — yet nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible, according to a Cleveland Clinic survey.
Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems early, before preventable conditions turn life-threatening.
“When it comes to preventing heart attacks, strokes, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, metabolic disease and early aging, testing is essential,” Dr. Jack Wolfson, a cardiologist in Arizona, told Fox News Digital. “Most men have no idea what’s happening inside their bodies until it’s too late.”
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“If I could give one message to every man over 40: Test, don’t guess,” he went on. “Catch the problem early, fix it naturally, and live to 100 and beyond with vitality.”
Below, experts share some of the most important medical tests that men over 40 should discuss with their doctors — some of which are universally recommended, and others that apply to certain groups.
Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases — yet nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. (iStock)
1. Complete blood count (CBC)
Dr. Andrea Caamano, M.D., a New Jersey physician specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, recommends that this blood test is performed yearly for men in their 40s and older.
“It tells us the state of a patient’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, and tells of infection, allergic reactions, inflammation, anemia and clotting disorders,” she told Fox News Digital.
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The CBC is especially important in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), as testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells — and an overproduction will raise the risk of clots and high blood pressure, according to the doctor.
“The test’s only limitation is that it does not tell us why something is happening,” Caamano said. “It will give us values, but not a reason when they are outside normal limits.”
“If I could give one message to every man over 40: Test, don’t guess.”
Health agencies such as the CDC, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and World Health Organization do not recommend a CBC test for every person without symptoms, but they do recommend it for people experiencing symptoms like anemia, infection, inflammation, fatigue, bleeding or bruising, or for those with a known medical condition.
2. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
This blood test is commonly performed yearly, according to Caamano, especially for men using TRT.
“This blood test measures metabolic and organ function, giving information about the kidneys and liver, and electrolyte and glucose state,” she said. “It is important to catch any organ issue that can pop up on its own, or that can be age- or medication-induced.”
The CDC and USPSTF recommend that all adults 18 and over should undergo routine blood pressure screening. High blood pressure is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. (iStock)
The test can also catch things like liver and kidney disease, pre-diabetes, full-blown diabetes and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to blood pressure fluctuations and heart rhythm issues, according to the doctor.
Caamano recommends that men using TRT get a baseline CMP, then get monitored every three to six months in the first year of treatment and then yearly. Organizations like the USPSTF, CDC and WHO, however, only recommend CMPs when evaluating symptoms, monitoring chronic conditions or checking medication safety.
3. Blood pressure
The CDC and USPSTF recommend that all adults 18 and over should undergo routine blood pressure screening. High blood pressure is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher.
Individuals aged 40 and older — or those with elevated risk — are advised to be tested every year, while younger adults with consistently normal results may be screened every three to five years.
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“The use of TRT can increase blood pressure, so it is very important to monitor regularly,” Caamano said. “Increased blood pressure can be indicative of cardiovascular disease.”
4. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score
Dr. Auda Auda, a board-certified physician at Baker Health in New York, names this as his top recommendation to protect against heart disease, which remains the No. 1 cause of death in men over 40.
“A CAC scan directly measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, years before symptoms develop,” Auda told Fox News Digital. “For many men, it’s the difference between ‘normal annual labs’ and a silent, high-risk cardiovascular picture that would otherwise go unnoticed.”
A high CAC score identifies early coronary atherosclerosis, leading to targeted lifestyle changes, statins and risk modification to help prevent heart attack and stroke. (iStock)
A high CAC score identifies early coronary atherosclerosis, leading to targeted lifestyle changes, statins and risk modification to help prevent heart attack and stroke, the doctor noted.
The test should be done every five years if the score is 0, or every one to two years if the score is >0, Auda advised.
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“I’ve had multiple men in their 40s with ‘perfect’ cholesterol come back with CAC scores in the 200-400 range, completely changing their trajectory,” he shared.
Major health agencies, such as the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and USPSTF, recommend CAC scoring for adults who are at intermediate risk of heart disease or when it’s unclear whether they should start statin therapy.
5. Advanced lipid profile
Dr. Jeremy M. Liff, a board-certified neurologist in New York, puts this test at the top of his list.
“Unlike a standard cholesterol panel, which only gives you HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) and LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), the advanced version breaks down the specific types of LDL particles,” Liff told Fox News Digital. “Some LDL particles are far more dangerous than others.”
“Insulin resistance influences nearly every major organ, including the liver and the brain.”
The advanced lipid profile helps to prevent “catastrophic” cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, according to the doctor.
“This test gives men over 40 a much clearer picture of their cardiovascular risk and whether they need major dietary or lifestyle changes,” he said. “By identifying dangerous LDL particle types early, men can intervene before plaque buildup becomes life-threatening.”
The advanced lipid profile helps to prevent “catastrophic” cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, according to a doctor. (iStock)
The advanced lipid profile may only need to be done once if the baseline looks excellent, according to the doctor. If results are poor, men should repeat the test every six months under their doctor’s guidance, he advised.
Major health organizations — including the ACC, AHA, Endocrine Society and USPSTF — regard advanced lipid profiles as optional decision-support tools rather than standard screening tests.
6. Thyroid function
This blood test can be done yearly to evaluate how well your thyroid gland is functioning, according to Caamano.
“Issues with thyroid function can lead to mood changes, fatigue, weight changes, palpitations and hair loss,” she told Fox News Digital.
The thyroid is often checked when men have symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, palpitations or hair loss, while some physicians also order it periodically in midlife.
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The test measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is made by the pituitary gland and tells the thyroid how much hormone to produce. It also measures levels of free T4 (the main hormone the thyroid releases) and free T3 (the active form that the body converts T4 into).
Based on these three levels, a doctor can determine whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive.
“Issues with thyroid function can lead to mood changes, fatigue, weight changes, palpitations and hair loss,” one doctor cautioned. (iStock)
Major health agencies, such as the USPSTF, American Thyroid Association (ATA) and American College of Physicians, recommend this test for people who are at higher risk of thyroid disease, are experiencing symptoms or have autoimmune conditions.
7. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
A PSA blood test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by both normal and cancerous cells of the prostate gland.
This test, sometimes along with a digital rectal exam, is used to screen for cancer or enlargement of the prostate, according to Caamano.
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The USPSTF, American Urological Association (AUA) and American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend “shared decision-making” for men aged 55 to 69, warning of the risks of false positives, overdiagnosis and overtreatment with the PSA test.
8. Insulin sensitivity test
Some clinicians use additional markers of insulin sensitivity when taking a more proactive approach to metabolic health. These measures can provide insights that go beyond standard tests such as fasting glucose and HbA1c, which reflects average blood glucose over the past two to three months.
“Insulin resistance influences nearly every major organ, including the liver and the brain,” Liff told Fox News Digital. “It plays a major role in metabolic health, long-term inflammation and future disease risk.”
Poor insulin sensitivity is closely tied to fatty liver disease, cognitive decline and vascular problems. (iStock)
Poor insulin sensitivity is closely tied to fatty liver disease, cognitive decline and vascular problems, according to the doctor.
“Detecting it early allows men to make changes that protect long-term organ health, including the brain,” Liff said. “Depending on the initial findings, a repeat every six months may be appropriate.”
Major health agencies, such as the ADA (American Diabetes Association), USPSTF, CDC and WHO, generally recommend screening for diabetes and prediabetes using fasting glucose, HbA1c or a standard oral glucose tolerance test.
9. Hormone levels
Caamano recommends that certain men over 40 get tested for hormones, including total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol, which can be measured in a blood draw.
“These are done when men are having symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, breast enlargement or when they are using TRT,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Consistency is key in hormonal testing, according to the doctor. “Testosterone should be measured in the morning, as it follows a pattern, peaking in the morning hours,” Caamano said. “Hormonal blood levels, along with symptoms, help determine the need for TRT.”
The Endocrine Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), USPSTF and the American Urological Association only recommend hormone tests when there are clear symptoms or medical indications.
10. Omega-3 index
Cardiologist Wolfson, who is also founder of Natural Heart Doctor, a holistic cardiology practice, calls this test “the most powerful predictor of heart attack and sudden death risk” — though it’s not yet part of standard screening guidelines for everyone.
Low omega-3 levels, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are associated with a range of medical conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, poor cognition, mood disorders and more, studies have shown.
Omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, “were associated with significant reductions in heart attacks,” the researchers found. (iStock)
“The omega-3 index is a direct measurement of omega-3 levels inside red blood cells, making it far more meaningful than a standard blood omega-3 test,” Wolfson told Fox News Digital.
He recommends that men 40 and older get the test once per year — “or every six months if supplementing and optimizing.”
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However, major health agencies like the AHA and the National Institutes of Health do not recommend routine omega-3 index testing for the general population, as the test is mainly used for patients with cardiovascular disease who are already considering omega-3 supplementation.
11. Carotid artery ultrasound
Narrowing of the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of stroke, according to Liff. The carotid artery ultrasound can reveal problems long before symptoms appear, potentially protecting brain health.
It may be considered in some high-risk men or when a doctor suspects carotid disease.
“Reduced blood flow from plaque buildup can trigger strokes or transient ischemic attacks,” Liff told Fox News Digital. “Catching the narrowing early allows for treatment, lifestyle changes or close monitoring before a serious event occurs.”
Narrowing of the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of stroke, an expert noted. (iStock)
If there is no evidence of disease, Liff recommends repeating the test every few years. “If narrowing is detected, a specialist should follow the patient more closely,” he advised.
The USPSTF, AHA, American Stroke Association (ASA) and ACC only recommend the carotid artery ultrasound when there are neurological symptoms or high clinical suspicion of carotid disease based on medical history.
12. Colon cancer screening
The USPSTF, ACS and CDC now recommend screening average-risk adults for colon cancer from the ages of 45 to 75.
Men with a family history of colorectal cancer should begin screenings at 40, Caamano noted. Those with a low risk level should begin screenings at 45, via colonoscopy or an at-home stool test.
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“A colonoscopy should be done every 10 years unless polyps are found, which then drops the time to every three to five years — or for those with a family history of colorectal cancer, every five years,” she told Fox News Digital. “This screening is super important, as early detection can be lifesaving.”
13. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that detects low levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.
Wolfson refers to this test as the “inflammation alarm bell. “Chronic inflammation is a major driver of heart disease, strokes, cancer, dementia, diabetes and accelerated aging,” he told Fox News Digital, calling “hs-CRP ‘the single best early warning sign.’”
Dubbed the “sunshine hormone,” vitamin D is known to predict health span, according to an expert. (iStock)
The test helps to detect silent cardiovascular inflammation, early artery damage, hidden infections and inflammatory lifestyle triggers, such as poor sleep, stress, alcohol and toxins, Wolfson noted.
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He recommends that men in their 40s and older get the test every six months, or more frequently if levels are elevated or if symptoms are present. Per major health agencies, however, there is insufficient evidence that hs-CRP should be routinely performed unless someone experiences symptoms or is at intermediate cardiovascular risk.
14. Vitamin D
Dubbed the “sunshine hormone,” vitamin D is known to predict health span, according to Wolfson.
Low levels are linked to heart disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions, high blood pressure, depression, low testosterone, poor immune resilience and early aging, according to the doctor.
“It is one of the strongest indicators of lifestyle quality, including sun exposure, sleep habits, metabolic health and inflammation,” he told Fox News Digital. “Levels may be low in men who avoid the sun or overuse sunscreen.”
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Wolfson recommends vitamin D testing twice per year, ideally in the winter and summer, to capture seasonal changes.
While many doctors will check vitamin D in midlife, especially if someone has risk factors or related conditions, major health agencies only recommend screenings for people who have symptoms of deficiency or are at higher risk due to medical conditions or certain medications.
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Anyone seeking more information about these or other health screenings should contact a doctor for individual recommendations.
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Doctors thought a 60-year-old man had metastatic brain cancer after scans revealed multiple tumors – but further testing revealed a shocking diagnosis.
The Spanish man, who was not named, was found to have a parasitic tapeworm larvae lodged in his brain — a case of neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).
The patient, a lifelong resident of Castellón, Spain, had not traveled to any regions where the disease is endemic, according to the case report published in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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The man had initially come to the hospital after suffering two weeks of progressive headaches and mild behavioral changes.
Radiologic findings from a study of autochthonous neurocysticercosis brain lesions mimicking metastatic disease. (Emerging Infectious Diseases)
CT scans showed multiple abnormal spots that looked like tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, leading doctors to suspect advanced brain cancer.
However, whole-body scans, a colonoscopy and specialized imaging failed to identify cancer anywhere in the patient’s body, the case report stated.
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When doctors performed a more detailed MRI, they discovered several fluid-filled cysts in the brain, some of which contained the head of a tapeworm. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
The man was treated with a combination of albendazole and praziquantel (two antiparasitic medications), as well as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. He successfully recovered with no complications, according to the case report.
CT scans (not pictured) showed multiple abnormal spots that looked like tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, leading doctors to suspect advanced brain cancer. (iStock)
The authors suggested that the patient may have gotten the infection after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs years earlier.
The exposure may have occurred while working a construction job with migrant coworkers from regions where neurocysticercosis is endemic.
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People can catch the pork tapeworm in two different ways. Eating undercooked infected pork usually leads to an intestinal tapeworm, but accidentally swallowing the parasite’s eggs — typically through food or water contaminated with feces — can send the larvae into the bloodstream, where they may form cysts in the brain and other organs. This can cause the disease the patient in the case report acquired.
A photomicrograph shows histopathologic features in a brain tissue specimen from a case of neurocysticercosis caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. The image documents pathological changes associated with this parasitic infection. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
As this was just a single case, the source of transmission could not be proven, the researchers acknowledged, and the findings cannot be generalized to a wider population. The report shows that there is a possibility of local transmission in non-endemic settings, but cannot establish how often this occurs.
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In the United States, less than 2% of neurocysticercosis cases are considered domestically acquired, according to the case report.
A prior systematic review identified only 18 confirmed locally acquired cases in Western Europe between 1990 and 2011.
The authors suggested that the patient may have gotten the infection after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs years earlier. (Associated Press)
In some cases, NCC can cause serious symptoms, including seizures, stroke, neurological deficits and cognitive decline.
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“Our case emphasizes that the absence of travel history should not preclude NCC from the differential diagnosis of multiple ring-enhancing brain lesions, even in regions where metastatic cancer is statistically much more likely,” the researchers concluded in the case study.
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Detecting the worms earlier could have prevented “unnecessary invasive oncologic procedures and led to prompt, targeted antiparasitic therapy,” they added.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
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A rare and potentially fatal tick-borne illness currently spreading across the United States can be traced back to a 1958 case involving a young boy on a farm.
The disease, known as Powassan virus, was named for the Ontario town near where it was first discovered.
At the time of his death, Lincoln Byers, a 4-year-old living in Canada, had a condition that medical professionals could not explain, the Boston Globe reported.
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Years later, researchers discovered a tick harboring the same virus on a dead squirrel, finally providing an answer to the tragedy, but foreshadowing a growing public health challenge.
While once considered an obscure medical anomaly, Powassan virus cases have reached historic highs in the U.S., data show.
Powassan is most prevalent from late spring through mid-fall, when tick populations peak and outdoor activity increases. (iStock)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 Americans were diagnosed with the virus in 2025, the highest annual total on record. Previously, the U.S. averaged just seven to eight diagnoses each year.
The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected woodchuck tick or deer tick. Like other tick-borne illnesses, Powassan is most prevalent from late spring through mid-fall, when tick populations peak and outdoor activity increases.
Public health experts warn that the virus’s transmission speed makes it uniquely dangerous.
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“One of the most dangerous aspects is its rapid transmission,” Dr. Jorge P. Parada, a medical advisor at the National Pest Management Association in Chicago, told Fox News Digital.
“Powassan can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the infected tick bites, while Lyme disease usually requires a 36- to 48-hour attachment time for transmission.”
Powassan carries an incubation period of one to four weeks before symptoms manifest. (iStock)
Parada noted that while Powassan remains rare compared to Lyme disease, it poses clinical concern.
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Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, confirmed that the virus transmits significantly faster than Lyme disease. He noted that Powassan carries an incubation period of one to four weeks before symptoms manifest.
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Initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, though some infected individuals remain asymptomatic, according to the CDC.
There are currently no specific medications or vaccines to treat or prevent Powassan virus. (iStock)
The virus can progress to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord membranes).
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In severe cases, patients may experience confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and seizures, per the CDC.
“One of the most dangerous aspects of it is its rapid transmission.”
Approximately 10% of Powassan cases involving severe neurological disease are fatal, and many survivors experience long-term neurological issues.
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There are currently no specific medications or vaccines to treat or prevent Powassan virus; clinical care is limited to supportive therapy, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support.
While anyone can develop severe illness, those at the highest risk include children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals, experts caution.
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Americans today live roughly twice as long, on average, as they did when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
When the nation was founded in 1776, life expectancy was around 35 to 40 years old, historians estimate. However, someone who survived childhood in colonial America often lived into their 60s or even 70s.
Today, the average lifespan is about 79 years old, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The improvement in lifespan over the centuries has been largely attributed to reduced deaths in infancy and from infectious diseases, multiple researchers have stated. Advances in sanitation, clean water, nutrition, vaccination and medical care have also contributed to lower mortality rates.
“Much of this vast discrepancy is related to the extremely high rates of infant, childhood and maternal mortality,” Dr. Omer Awan, physician and professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
Americans today live roughly twice as long, on average, as they did when the Declaration of Independence was signed. (Milan Markovic/iStock)
“Childbirth was dangerous, and without antibiotics and vaccines, many infectious diseases, such as measles, smallpox and pneumonia, were deadly,” he went on. “Now we have cleaner water and sanitation, vaccines and antibiotics that have significantly prolonged life.”
Advances in treatments of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes have also significantly prolonged life, the Harvard-trained doctor noted.
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According to the CDC, improved prevention and treatment of high blood pressure has helped reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke, two of the nation’s leading causes of death.
Mia Kazanjian, MD, a Stanford-trained body and breast radiologist with an interest in longevity who is based in Greenwich, Connecticut, attributes the shorter life expectancy in the 1700s to suboptimal sanitation, poor hygiene and limited medical treatments.
Today, the average lifespan is about 79 years old, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)
“Many babies and children died from infections like dysentery, diphtheria, scarlet fever and pneumonia,” she told Fox News Digital. Children who survived into adulthood often succumbed to infections like tuberculosis, cholera and typhoid fever.
Maternal mortality has also fallen dramatically over the past century due to advances in antibiotics, blood transfusions and safer obstetric care, according to the CDC.
Milestones in public health
Kazanjian pointed to several key advancements over the centuries that contributed to longevity improvements, including the development of early municipal water systems that provided cleaner drinking sources.
“Sewer system networks were built, the first in Brooklyn in 1857,” she said. “These allowed people to drink clean water and dispose of waste. Indoor plumbing with toilets and bathrooms became more widespread.”
“Without antibiotics and vaccines, many infectious diseases, such as measles, smallpox and pneumonia, were deadly.”
At this time, people’s understanding of disease started to improve, and public health measures were developed to minimize risk.
During the late 1800s, germ theory became widely accepted in medicine and public health, helping shape the Sanitary Era, the expert said.
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“The Federal Quarantine Act of 1878 allowed the government to prevent spread of infection from out of the country, from epidemics like yellow fever,” she said. “Food safety regulations went into effect in 1906, when the Pure Food and Drug Act and Federal Meat Inspection Act were passed.”
By 1900, the average life expectancy was about 49 years old, according to the National Vitals Statistics Report.
Another major landmark in increasing lifespan came with the development of vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat disease, Kazanjian noted.
One major landmark in increasing lifespan came with the development of vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat disease, experts say. (iStock)
“Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine in 1796, Pasteur created vaccines for rabies and anthrax in the 1880s, and several scientists created vaccines for polio, measles, influenza, mumps and rubella in the mid 1900s,” she said.
“Antibiotics proliferated in the 1940s, specifically penicillin and tetracycline. By 1950, the US life expectancy was about 68 years old.”
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From the mid-20th century to 2014, life expectancy continued to rise, Kazanjian said, largely due to “major gains” in medical knowledge of ways to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Public health campaigns promoting smoking cessation also played a role, as declining smoking rates helped reduce deaths from lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, according to the CDC.
“Motor vehicles became safer and carseats became staples,” Kazanjian noted.
Modern longevity is more focused on preventing chronic disease and less about surviving childhood infections. (iStock)
According to the National Institutes of Health, advances in emergency medical services and trauma care have substantially reduced deaths after serious injuries.
Development of pharmaceuticals for cardiovascular disease and cancer also contributed to longer lives, according to Kazanjian.
Today’s longevity challenges
Modern longevity is more focused on preventing chronic disease and less about surviving childhood infections, noted Nneoma Oparaji, MD, a triple board-certified media physician specializing in obesity, lifestyle and internal medicine.
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“The next frontier will be less about living longer, but more about living healthier longer,” Houston-based Oparaji told Fox News Digital.
Kazanjian pointed out that between 2014 and 2026, there has been a fall and a rise in lifespan.
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“The fall was due to young adult deaths from drug overdoses, particularly the opioid epidemic, suicides and alcohol-related deaths,” she told Fox News Digital.
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced U.S. life expectancy by more than two years between 2019 and 2021 before it began recovering, CDC data shows.
Advances in sanitation, clean water, nutrition, vaccination and medical care have contributed to lower mortality rates. (iStock)
Although U.S. life expectancy has rebounded since the pandemic, it remains below that of other high-income countries, largely because of higher death rates from chronic diseases, substance use and other preventable causes, according to KFF.
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Obesity rates also continue to climb, contributing to higher numbers of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, Kazanjian said.
“Most concerning is the rise in obesity in children,” she added.
“The next frontier will be less about living longer, but more about living healthier longer.”
Changing cancer trends are also affecting lifespan among younger adults, data shows.
“My generation, the millennials, has seen an unprecedented rise in young adult cancers, particularly colon and breast,” Kazanjian said, citing factors that include sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, alcohol, obesity and smoking, among others.
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The doctor said she aims to raise public health awareness of ways to improve lifespan.
“We need to get off our screens, move around more, eat a whole food, plant-based diet, sleep seven hours a night, do our screening exams, and avoid toxins like alcohol and cigarettes.”
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