Worrying about wasting GPs’ time is stopping people from seeking help
A UK study has revealed that many patients don’t report cancer “alarm symptoms” to their GP, because they’re worried about wasting their GP's time.
The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice, was based around the interviews of 62 people who experienced symptoms that could indicate cancer. These included a persistent cough or hoarseness, persistent unexplained pain, and a change in the appearance of a mole among other things.
The researchers explored the reasons why, and found that long wait times gave patients the impression their GP was busy, and made patients think they should only go if their symptoms were serious. Others reported that they believed their problem could be fixed by an alternative healthcare provider, like a pharmacist or nurse.
As well as people who delayed reporting symptoms to doctors, there were some who said they used GP services without hesitation. Some reported that their GPs never made them feel like a nuisance, while others believed that because their taxes paid for the service, they were free to use it, within reason.
Dr Katriina Whitaker, co-author at the University of Surrey, told Cancer Research UK:
"People worrying about wasting their doctor's time is one of the challenges we need to tackle when thinking about trying to diagnose cancer earlier.
"We need to get to the root of the problem and find out why people are feeling worried. Not a lot of work has been done on this so far. Our study draws attention to some reasons patients put off going to their GP to check out possible cancer symptoms."
Getting any breast changes checked by your GP is vitally important, even if the symptoms don’t seem serious at the time.
Some breast cancer warning signs, like a lump or nipple discharge, can seem insignificant at first, but getting these symptoms checked by a GP is vitally important. Breast cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early, so reporting your symptoms as soon as you notice them could save your life. To learn about the signs of breast cancer, visit anychanges.co.nz.
Auckland GP Dr Nua Tupai knows all about the importance of early detection for successful treatment of breast cancer. “We want people to come to us as soon as possible if they’ve noticed any changes in their breasts. Putting off seeing your GP can delay diagnosis and make treatment more difficult.
“Your GP is there to help. Even if it seems like they’re in a rush, they care about your health. If you’ve got any concerning symptoms, tell them. Catching cancer early is very important.”