I am trying to understand why my mother, over 70, has not been to a doctor since she was in her early 50's. my older sisters never go either, for more than a decade. No mammos, no paps, nothing. I follow the usual guidelines and I just do not understand why they do not go. Ever.
I have given up telling them to see a doctor when I hear they are ill, they just will not, despite ensuring their husbands and children get adequate healthcare.
serious answers, please.
2006-10-12 12:04:14 · 15 answers · asked by turtle girl 7 in Health ➔ Women's Health
thank you for all your answers, I am NOT the one giving the thumbs down, I appreciate your opinions.
2006-10-12 12:13:27 · update #1
Nowadays, you can't drive down the street without seeing a billboard trying to guilt you into a mammogram, or open a magazine attempting to play on your emotions by suggesting that you get a Pap smear because "your family needs you."
Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs and medical "screening" services has become a LOT more prevalent recently. Hospitals erect competing billboards in attempt to coerce potential patients their way... advertising and "awareness" attempts have become a part of our day-to-day life. Western Medicine and Big Pharma are doing their best to engrave it into our heads... RUN TO THE DOCTOR FOR EVERY LITTLE THING! TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS! It's evidenced right here on Yahoo! Answers... open absolutely any question in the Health section where someone is asking what their headache might be from, and scroll down the page. Over and over again, you'll see...
"OMG go 2 a dr rite now mite be cancer this cant wait"
"i dunno go to a doctor there the only ones that no."
"ask a dr"
(Bad grammar in place for emphasis.)
Western Doctors want you to think that they're the only solution.
ANYWAY... my point is, when they were younger, this probably wasn't nearly as prevalent. People went to the doctor when they were sick. Period. "Well-woman exams" and "screenings" are all relatively new. Yes, they've been in existence for quite some time, but the sheer pressure to have them performed annually hasn't always been there. Most women today wouldn't even THINK of skipping their yearly mammogram... women who haven't always had mammograms forced down their throats might not be so eager to go get one, especially if they've made it this long without one.
I hope I'm expressing my point as well as I'm intending to (my sheer loathing of Western Medicine and advertising tends to get in the way sometimes.)
As for the fact that they encourage their family to get adequate healthcare... my grandparents are the same way. They care far more about their family than they do themselves, and would likely put their own health in jeopardy to ensure that everyone they care about is healthy and happy. My grandmother does that all the time. I've seen her go out in below freezing temperatures, with a cold, just to make sure my little cousins are picked up from school on time.
They probably tell themselves that as long as they feel fine, or feel as if they can "tough it out," there's no point in burdening others with their health problems.
So, in conclusion, I'd say that the "routine screenings" are something that wasn't ingrained into their heads when they were young enough to be impressionable, and they're self-sacrificing enough to put everyone else's needs before their own.
Hope this gives you a fresh perspective.
2006-10-12 12:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by xxandra 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
In my personal experience, I found that there were a few reasons I have heard ( my mom & grandma does the same thing). One reason was because years ago the doctors and dentists were not always the friendliest lets say. They could be rough and scare you. Another reason was if you went to the doctors you were sick with a very serious problem ( going to the doctors meant death was close). I know that my grandmother also spoke of the cost of going. Thus you only went when you had no choice at all. But, one big thing I know I am guilty of is I am too busy taking my kids to the doctors I never get there to see them myself. Once set in your ways sometimes you can't change them. Good luck.
2006-10-12 12:16:58 · answer #2 · answered by who_me_never_me 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not everyone here in America has health insurance. If you had something major, they would take all you worked for your whole life. Better to not know and die, and pass something on to your children. Here in Tennessee City jobs are $5.15 a hour, and plants here work you 7 days a week 12 hours a day. You will get fired for even going to a doctor. Next time you see Snap on Tools advertised, think about the poor workers here.
2006-10-12 12:09:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
My guess is... they dont have insurance or they think its a waste of money because they can take care of them selfs at home... Some in my family have that outlook... that they dont need a doctor unless they are about to die! Alot of people from the older generation dont understand how many medical advancements are done on preventitive medicine... they catch it before it happens vs try to heal it after it happened... Cancer is a good one... catch the small tumor today instead of tring to go threw tons of chemo in all hopes the patient can survive... Its just in how they were raised... They dont like to go unless they think something is dermaticlly wrong.
2006-10-12 12:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by chrystal_lynn2002 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would love to get a mammogram, but would love to know why I need a prescription from a gynecologist. Why can't I just go when I have time and have them send the results to my regular Dr.
2015-06-09 23:41:03 · answer #5 · answered by mickigee12120002000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possibly that your mother's past had bad experiments with the doctor and dislike the medication and don't want to be involved with them. Unfortunatley, doctors don't come to your house and find out what's wrong with their patient.
Your mother will get even worse if she doesn't go to the doctor soon. By the age of 70, women will get awfully ill if not treated, but you already know that. To convince her, tell her to go to the doctor or you will not get any better. If you need to go to the doctor, take her with you and let her see what a doctor will do and maybe her fear will overcome. Sorry my answer isn't the best, but good luck on treating your mom.
2006-10-12 12:08:41 · answer #6 · answered by shewolf2899 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Probably because they know doctors are 85-90% worthless. I don't take my kids or myself to the doctor. The few times we have been they look at you like well I don't know whats wrong what do you think?!! HELLO what the crap... I just maintain as healthy asI can diet as well with my children. I do however go to my yearly exams I like my gyno he is nice,and knows what he is saying. But other then that I don't waste my time. There is only one person who can cure and prevent and that is yeshua.
2006-10-12 12:15:58 · answer #7 · answered by Alexis221 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Things like pap smears are a little invasive and involve a loss of dignity. It's not easy to do if you are a bit old fashioned.
2006-10-12 12:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Some women feel ashamed to show them the goods.
They think many times, that if it's not broke, why get it checked out? They don't realize that this is like a car and you have to do the maintenance on it.
Sorry to hear about your dilemma, they sound stuck in their ways and not sure if you're going to change their minds.
2006-10-12 12:08:28 · answer #9 · answered by SatinDoll1976 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I don't like them either, I can usually do it at home with a good medical book
2006-10-12 14:37:55 · answer #10 · answered by jdhayman 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋