Nearly half of men delay seeking medical help for themselves

A poll of 2,000 males revealed most would tell a friend to visit the GP - but 47 per cent admitted delaying an appointment themselves for the exact same symptoms.

Of these, 37 per cent put off their own appointment because they hoped it would go away on its own. 

While the same percentage (37 per cent) worried it wasn’t serious enough to consult a doctor - suggesting many men encourage others to get treatment but avoid doing so themselves.

Others felt the wait times were too long (21 per cent) or claimed they were too busy (18 per cent), while some even felt like they needed to ‘tough it out’ (18 per cent).

Despite this, 40 per cent have intervened when a male friend refused to seek help, and 22 per cent of these said they have had to step in multiple times.

But they don’t feel the same when it comes to their own health, with 32 per cent having to be encouraged by one of their friends or relatives to book an appointment.

The study was commissioned by health test provider Medichecks, which has teamed up with former footballer and broadcaster Chris Kamara.

Together, they will take over the Trent Navigation Inn with its Well Man Arms Bar, encouraging men to come together for the football while putting health into the conversations they're already having.

Chris Kamara said: "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."

The research also found only 14 per cent of men would seek help when they notice symptoms, with 40 per cent usually waiting weeks, while 28 per cent only see a professional once it gets worse.

Just over half of men (52 per cent) even admitted they will often wait until symptoms become hard to ignore before reaching out for support.

But nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of those who have delayed seeking help for something said it later turned out to be serious.

It also emerged 73 per cent of men believe outdated male stereotypes, like needing to be stoic and suffer in silence, are to blame for many not feeling comfortable asking for the medical attention they need.

But things are shifting, with only 17 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, now saying they wouldn’t speak to a friend, teammate or even family member if they were worried.

And when they make it to the GP, only 13 per cent would be uncomfortable speaking to a healthcare professional about their own concerns.

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.”