what to say to guys who don't believe in doctors

I work with a man that's a little younger than I am and he's never had a routine physical or routine blood work. He's also never had a vaccine outside of those he had when he was a child.
He only goes to the Dr. when he's seriously ill. I have talked to him about this and he told me that if they look for something they usually find something. You did the right thing by changing the subject.

I would have asked what kind of herbal tea he's drinking.

It’s a personal choice that adults can make for themselves. I mention it, but I don’t proselytize.

I started getting PSA tests at 45y (in 2000), and was diagnosed with low-grade, localized prostate cancer in 2012 (at 56y) and was on active surveillance for about 9 years until I had treatments in 2021 (at 65y). My 3 brothers (1 younger; 2 older) weren’t interested and didn’t get their PSA tested. They’re adults and can make adult decisions for themselves.

It wasn’t until August 2024 when my older brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (he died 2 months later) that my oldest brother got a PSA test……..prostate cancer. (He’s had treatments and is doing fine; I was able to walk him through each step.)

All that can be done is to make the information available. Beyond that, the adult decision is theirs.

Thanks.

I don't think I'll ever stand on a street corner with a cardboard sign that says "Guys, get your PSA checked!"

Actually, I did ask him about the tea, and I have ordered some (Bell Ezee Flow).

My dad hated going to the doctor. He must have been in extreme pain for years, but he let his undiagnosed colon cancer eat right through to the outside of his large intestine before he finally collapsed onto the floor and my mom called 911 (of course, it had metastasised to vital organs by then). He was only a few years older than I am now, and died in hospital a few months later.

Of course, stories like this won't change anyone's mind who's already dead set against medical care, but maybe they'll help impressionable people who are on the fence, uncertain which side to fall on (?)

I was one of "those guys". Went decades without seeing a doctor. Had a heart attack in 2014 and renal failure caused by PCa in 2025. I now have more doctors than I have shoes. Let them be. They'll come around one way or another.

I recommend the 59 year old,
'Gemini' herbal tee vs ADT

2 things you should NEVER hear from your doctor.

1. It's just old age.

2. If only you'd come to see me sooner.

I understand totally it is hard to trust doctors, For me I had a close death of my mother and she died and treated her whole life at Harper hospital Detroit, Michigan. So when I had a collapse I was taken care of at Henry Ford hospital by medical students who soon became my Primary doctor. I stayed in her care became healthy again until now and she left during 2020 to go back to India to take care of her family. Her patients matter to her she would spend countless hours researching methods. She own lab and pharmacy in the same office tragic she left EPIC divided everything leaving just the office and exam rooms. Tested everything right there her and her compassionate husband . So finding another doctor is brutal for the epilepsy or syncope. Pray you find a good doctor.

@northoftheborder

SO true ! But again, percentage vise it is usually the way @dkgibson described :(. Yes, I know even of a doctor that resents medical care and taking medications lol , was giving sermons to her daughters for taking birth control pills *eye-roll, etc etc, and my aunt that had 1 year of collage was the "most educated" and informed person in the world (not only wise but really educated), but in general terms, higher education gives boarder views to most people.

Yes, just change a subject .
There is no way to convey some facts to people that are set in their ways. I often criticize doctors but many days I wonder if I would be able to do that job and deal with all kind of nonsense. As @jayhall said - many, many people do not wish "to find something", as if it is not already there. *eye-roll But again, they must have very high level of anxiety and just can not deal with it until it is absolutely necessary and when it is usually really late. : (