Visiting a doctor is not one of man’s priorities.
On the list of a man’s priorities, it seems that visiting the local doctor does not sit highly. More than one in five men have not visited a GP or other healthcare professional in the last 12 months, according to a survey published March 15, 2011.
Only 14 per cent admitted to being happy to see a doctor if needed, while a third revealed that they will only go to the doctor’s if their partner encourages them, or they really have to.
And worryingly, two per cent of men said they had never been to see a doctor.
Mike Shallcross, Deputy Editor of Men’s Health magazine, said it came down to a different relationship that men and women have to their bodies.
While female patients visit the GP regularly to maintain their health, men visit only when they need ‘vital repairs’.
‘I would characterise it as the way they treat their cars,’ he said.
‘Women drive very carefully and make sure they take it into the garage at the right time but men just put their foot down until it’s knackered.’
The reluctance to visit professionals was despite a finding that two thirds of of men had parents or grandparents who had suffered from cancer, stroke or heart disease.
The survey found that six per cent would not consult a doctor if they experienced chest pain while 26 per cent would still not make the trip if they had profuse sweating.
A further nine per cent of men said they would avoid doctors even if they had blood in urine or semen.
And 14 per cent of men with blurred vision and 9 per cent experiencing breathlessness are among those that would avoid seeing their local GP.
Only 65 per cent would definitely consult a doctor for chest pain while half of those with blurred vision and breathlessness would seek professional help.
Mr Krishna Sethia, of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital: ‘I welcome any positive move that will make men more aware of health issues relating to themselves.
‘Men are often too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms but they need to, as early diagnosis can make a significant difference to their chances of successful treatment.’
Men who did go to the doctor found their visit to be very worthwhile.
More than a third of those who had their blood pressure checked last year discovered some issue, with a quarter needing additional monitoring and nine per cent further investigations.
The survey of more than 1,000 men, was undertaken by insureblue.co.uk to launch its fundraising support for the new Blue Ribbon Foundation. It was created to raise awareness about male cancers and male health issues.
Via Daily Mail
