Most of us know the advice: see your GP regularly, get your skin checked, book the colonoscopy when your doctor recommends it, pay attention to unusual symptoms. And yet many people delay, sometimes for months or years. Why do people do this and how do we encourage others and ourselves to do what we have been advised to do?
Firstly, people are not ignoring their health because they are careless or unintelligent. More often, they are avoiding it because of very understandable psychological processes. One of the most common reasons is fear. When something might be wrong with our body, the possibility of a diagnosis can feel overwhelming. In psychology we call this avoidance coping. If we don’t book the appointment, we don’t have to confront what might be found. For a short time, avoiding the issue can reduce anxiety but the relief is temporary.
Another factor is optimism bias, the belief that bad things are more likely to happen to other people than to us. This bias is surprisingly powerful and can lead people to underestimate genuine risks such as melanoma or bowel cancer.
There is also the issue of discomfort and embarrassment. Some medical procedures feel intrusive or awkward such as a skin check involving having your body examined or a colonoscopy involving a preparation that many people dread. Even though these procedures are routine for medical professionals, we can feel exposed or vulnerable.
Time and busyness play a role too. People prioritise work, family responsibilities and daily tasks ahead of their own health. Many tell themselves they will book the appointment “when things settle down”. But life rarely becomes less busy, and preventive health checks slide down the to-do list.
Another barrier is normalisation. When symptoms appear gradually, fatigue, changes in digestion, unusual moles, people often adapt to them. Instead of seeing them as warning signs, they become part of everyday life.
Finally, there is a desire for control. Some people feel that once they enter the medical system, they may face tests, treatments or decisions they feel unprepared for. Avoiding the first step can create the illusion of maintaining control over the situation.
Understanding these psychological barriers is important because it helps us respond with compassion rather than judgement. If you recognise yourself in any of this, a few strategies can help:
- Reframe screening as self-care rather than something to fear. Preventive checks are a powerful way we can look after our health.
- Book the appointment before anxiety has time to build.
- Talk openly with your GP about your concerns. Doctors are very used to discussing fears, embarrassment or uncertainty.
- Bring someone along for support to make the process easier.
- Remember the goal of screening is reassurance and early detection.
Avoidance is human, but when it comes to our health, a small moment of courage, making that appointment, can make an enormous difference. Your future self will thank you for it.
