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It’s obviously clear that an early diagnosis is key to a good outcome with most diseases. But if that’s true, just what is standing in the way of this?

 

 

By now, most people know that early diagnosis is key to a good outcome. It means that diseases can be caught in early stages, before they do too much damage. This often makes the treatment easier and the outcome better. It can also increase life expectancy. But all this knowledge doesn’t seem to be lowering the rate of late diagnosis. And this is a health risk factor that you can do something about.

 

Why Do People Wait?

People don’t get diagnosed early for several reasons. This delay can be because of the patient or because of their doctor. Some of the most common reasons for a late diagnosis are:

 

• The patient just doesn’t go to the doctor no matter how obvious the symptoms are.
• Symptoms are vague and get missed.
• Patients can’t explain their symptoms properly.
• Doctors ignore the patient’s information.
• Doctors may postpone decision making for tests or prefer to ‘wait and see’.
• Some doctors may struggle to make the right diagnosis.

 

This is unfortunate because an early diagnosis is key to lowering health risk. It will allow for early treatment and management, which is key for a good outcome and long life.

 

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

A recent study has showed that the problem of delayed diagnoses is more serious than previously thought. The study surveyed 4000 cancer patients from different countries. It was performed to highlight inadequacies in cancer care and where improvements could be made. The patients had a variety of different types of cancer and were of different ages and cultures.

 

The survey found that swift and accurate diagnoses were a crucial area of improvement. In fact, 12 percent of respondents whose cancer was detected outside of screening programs reported that they had waited than 6 months for their diagnosis. This is an extremely serious finding because some forms of cancer can be very aggressive. So, waiting that long could be fatal for some people.

 

Lowering Your Own Health Risk

You can’t change the medical system. Sometimes you can’t change your doctors. You can blame these factors if you get a late diagnosis, but it won’t help. The only factor that you are responsible for is your contribution to your own diagnosis, late or otherwise.

 

It’s obviously best to improve your contribution before you’re diagnosed with anything. You can start now by making the following changes:

 

• Monitor your condition and any strange symptoms.
• Take regular health measurements such as blood pressure and weight.
• Share all this information with your doctor.
• Know your family history of diseases.
• Be insistent about getting results and good information.
• Don’t be afraid to shop around until you find a doctor who suits you.
• Don’t let fear stop you from getting an early diagnosis.
• Be ready to get unpleasant information.

 

You are the first beneficiary of an early diagnosis. So, you need to do your part to ensure that you get it.

 

 

If you’re concerned about a health risk, try using HomeLab to keep track of your condition and any preventative measures you take. And if you see signs of a significant problem, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible.

 

 

Keywords: health risk, early diagnosis