If our highly polished V6 engine makes the slightest clunk it's off to the garage for a tune-up, but if something in our body goes clunk it's ignored or put on a long list of things to do.

Here are a few things you should consider.

Testicular cancer
■ This is the most common cancer diagnosed in men under the age of 45.
■ There's a greater risk if it's in the family.
■ Signs include a painless lump in a testicle or feelings of heaviness or pain.

Erectile dysfunction
■ This is the inability to sustain an erection suitable for penetration.
■ Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk.
■ ED can be managed by understanding its cause, losing weight and blood pressure control.

Infertility
■ Forty per cent of infertility problems among couples stem from the male.
■ Being overweight, smoking, infection and age all affect the motility and strength of the sperm and can cause infertility.
■ It can't be fixed if you don't know about it.

Testosterone deficiency
■ Androgen deficiency and low testosterone sap energy and lead to mood swings, irritability and poor concentration, as well as a reduction in muscle strength, bone density and interest in sex. A blood test can diagnose the problem.

Prostate cancer
■ The walnut-sized prostate is under the bladder and opens into the urethra at the beginning of the penis. It produces nourishing fluid and hormones in which the sperm swim.
■ Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells grow out of control. In the early years there may be no symptoms, so screening is vital.
■ A family history makes it more likely, and being overweight also increases the risk.
■ The Prostate Cancer Foundation says a blood test and a physical digital rectal exam should be done on men over 50 (over 40 if there's a family history) as part of a routine medical check-up.
■ Early detection is the key to enabling better outcomes and potential cure of this cancer.

Anxiety and depression

■ Depression is a chemical illness that affects the body and the mood. It's often accompanied by anxiety. It affects one in five men at some stage.
■ Sufferers feel sad and without hope, and have no interest in doing things they used to love.
■ There are many different causes of depression, and many solutions. Medication, counselling and exercise may all help.

Heart attack and stroke

■ In Australia, one person dies every 10 minutes from a heart attack or stroke. One third of men with heart problems have no warning signs, and die suddenly from a heart attack.
■ Of the two thirds remaining, the majority fail to see their doctor for a check-up of blood pressure, blood fats and weight, all of which can be controlled.
■ Metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X is a group of risk factors for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes occurring together. Recent studies show that one in six Australian adults have it, and it's now being seen in teens. Syndrome X can be treated by losing weight, eating foods that are low GI, which means the glucose goes gently to the cells, quitting smoking and lowering stress.

Cancer of the bowel

■ At least one in 24 Australians will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. One in 18 are men. It mainly affects people over 50.
■ Bowel cancer is slow growing and begins with tiny changes in polyps, which grow out of the bowel, so if it's diagnosed and treated at an early stage there's an excellent chance of cure.
■ Bowel cancer is more common in people with a low amount of fibre and a high amount of red meat and fat in their diet.
■ Reduce your risk by exercising, losing weight, eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking.
■ You can have bowel cancer and not have any symptoms, which is why regular screening is vital. This can find polyps early, which if removed may prevent cancer from developing.

Lung disease

■ Chronic obstructive pulmonary or lung disease kills more than 5200 Australians a year.
■ After skin cancer, lung cancer is the most common cancer men get, and nine out of 10 cases are due to smoking.