10 Reasons Why Men Skip the Doctor, and Why They Shouldn't

June is Men's Health Month. What does that mean to the men in your life? For most, it's probably just another day. For us, it's an opportunity to spread awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Find out what screenings you need at your age.

Courtesy of the American Heart Association, here are the top 10 excuses men give for not seeing their doctor regularly, countered with 10 reasons why they should.

1. 1. I don’t have a doctor. Step one toward staying healthy is finding a doctor you trust. But you’ll never know if you trust one unless you try. Our Find a Doctor search can get you started. When you find a few that sound like they might be a good fit, call their offices and ask questions, or check around online. Friends and family are also good doc-finding resources.
   2. I don’t have insurance. Everybody should have insurance under the Affordable Care Act. If you still don’t, visit the AHA’s Consumer Health Care section.
   3. There’s probably nothing wrong. You may be right, but you’re not a doctor. That’s why you need one. Some serious diseases don’t have symptoms. High blood pressure is one, and it can cause heart attack and stroke. (That’s why they call it “the silent killer.”) High cholesterol is another often symptomless condition. Ditto diabetes. Finding a health problem early can make a huge difference in the quality and length of your life.
   4. I don’t have time. There are about 8,766 hours in a year, and you want to save two? If you want to spend more time with your family, these two hours aren’t the ones to lose.
   5. I don’t want to spend the money. It makes more sense to spend a little and save a lot than to save a little and spend a lot. If you think spending time with a doctor is expensive, try spending time in a hospital. Regular checkups and screenings can save you quite a bit of time and money in the long run.
   6. Doctors don’t DO anything. When you see a barber, you get a haircut. When you see the dentist, your teeth get cleaned. But when you get a checkup, the doctor just gives you tests. It may seem like you don’t get anything, but you do. You get news and knowledge that can bring better health if you act on it.
   7. I don’t want to hear what I might be told. Maybe you smoke, drink too much or carry extra weight. Even so, your doctor’s there to help you. You can deny your reality, but you can’t deny the consequences. So be smart: Listen to someone who’ll tell you truths you need to hear. Be coachable.
   8. I’ve got probe-a-phobia. You don’t need a prostate cancer exam until you’re 50. Even then, remember that your chances of survival are much better if it’s caught early. So it’s worth the exam. But it’s only one small portion of a physical. Don’t let one test stop you from getting all the benefits of an annual physical.
   9. I’d rather tough it out. If pro athletes can play hurt and sacrifice themselves for the team, you ought to be able to suck it up, right? Wrong! The Game of Life is about staying healthy for a long time – a lifetime.
   10. My significant other has been nagging me to get a checkup. OK, so you don’t want to give in. But isn’t it possible you could be wrong? Give in on this one. See the doctor.

For Father’s Day, give a gift to the people you love. Make an appointment with your doctor. If you don’t have a physician, use our free find-a-doctor services or call, 816.221.HEAL.

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Jodi Rawson

As Digital Marketing Strategist Jodi Rawson oversees the digital consumer experience for North Kansas City Hospital & Meritas Health. This includes managing website strategy, marketing automation and social media for the system. She believes in the power of building positive relationships, trusts data (with a side of gut instinct) and has a passion for driving consumer engagement..