A new survey has revealed that nearly half of men delay seeking medical help for themselves, even though the vast majority would urge their friends to make an appointment. The research, conducted by health test provider Medichecks, found that 47% of men admitted putting off a doctor's visit for symptoms they would advise a friend to get checked immediately.
Key Findings from the Survey
The poll of 2,000 men showed that 92% would badger a friend to see a GP if they had symptoms. Furthermore, 40% have intervened when a male friend refused to seek help, with 22% of those having to step in more than once. However, only 14% of men said they seek help as soon as they notice symptoms, while 40% typically wait weeks to book an appointment. More than half (52%) admitted they often wait until symptoms become hard to ignore before reaching out for support.
Almost a quarter (23%) of those who delayed seeking help later discovered the issue was serious. Common reasons for delaying included hoping the problem would go away on its own (cited by many), feeling it wasn't serious enough, long wait times (21%), being too busy (18%), and feeling the need to “tough it out” (18%).
Celebrity Partnership to Encourage Health Conversations
Medichecks has teamed up with former footballer and broadcaster Chris Kamara to encourage men to talk about their health. The brand has transformed the Trent Navigation Inn in Nottingham into the “Well Man Arms,” a pop-up bar where men can gather to watch football while discussing health issues.
Kamara commented: "Football fans can spend hours debating who's in the starting eleven, whether the manager got it right or who's coming in during the transfer window. But when it comes to their own health, a lot of blokes go completely quiet. What struck me from the research is that nearly every man would tell a mate to get checked out if something didn't seem right, but many won't take their own advice. We're brilliant at looking after our mates, but not always so good at looking after ourselves. I know from my own experience how easy it is to brush things off and think, 'I'll deal with it later'; the problem is, later can sometimes be too late. If we can get even a few men to stop putting things off, book an appointment, get a health check or simply talk to someone about something that's worrying them, that's a win in my book."
Outdated Stereotypes Blamed
The survey also found that 73% of men believe outdated male stereotypes—such as needing to be stoic and suffer in silence—are to blame for many not feeling comfortable seeking medical attention. However, attitudes appear to be shifting, with only 17% now saying they wouldn’t speak to a friend, teammate, or family member if they were worried. When they do visit the GP, just 13% said they would feel uncomfortable discussing their concerns with a healthcare professional.
Dr Natasha Fernando, medical director at Medichecks, added: "One of the most striking findings from the research is the disconnect between how men look after others and how they look after themselves. The issue often isn't a lack of awareness, it's the tendency to put our own health at the bottom of the priority list. The reality is that many serious health conditions, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, can develop silently with few obvious symptoms. That's why being proactive about your health matters so much, whether it's booking a GP appointment, having a conversation with a healthcare professional or getting a health check."
