Scheduling doctor visits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, might seem like a waste of time if you do not experience coronavirus symptoms, but it is far from a bad idea. It is the smartest choice to attend any doctor visits or a routine check-up, regardless of the times. If anxiety, fear of bad news, or inconvenience keeps you from seeing your doctor, it is time to do yourself a favor and think twice before skipping.

Kevin Dalby, Austin cancer research doctor, professor, and co-director of the Texas Screening Alliance for Cancer Therapeutics, says that its importance outweighs the small downsides to a doctor’s visit. Logically, an annual exam can catch serious health problems early and save lives. Dalby dives further into why it is such a wrong decision to skip a doctor’s visit.

A medical study reflects on the three main reasons as to why people avoid their doctor’s appointments. The first reason was due to unfavorable evaluations surrounding the physician or healthcare organization. A single bad experience while working with the healthcare system can turn off an individual for future returns.

The second rationale as to why people chose not to go to the doctor was due to their perspective and seeing a lack of need to utilize medical care. Rather than going to seek medical attention, some prefer to see if their illness or injury gets better on its own over time. The third result for not turning to medical care is traditional barriers such as costs, limited time, or no health insurance. When money and time are not available, individuals will most likely not go out of their way to have a professional check their health.

Scheduling doctor appointments, especially regular check-ups, can be beneficial in the long run for several causes. If medical issues run high in family history, annual visits can help catch early detection of diseases such as cancer. If you are not monitoring your health through a professional outlet, there is no way for you to see any developing issues. Standard cancer tests to ask your doctor to perform to stay ahead of the game include colonoscopies, mammograms, and prostate exams. These tests help detect stomach or colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Other advantages brought on by doctor visits include healthy action towards preventative care that will keep tabs on blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, reflexes, eyes, ears, nose, and weight. These types of doctor visits might also incorporate annual bloodwork, which will reveal blood cell counts, cholesterol, and sugar levels. Knowing where these things stand can help determine the onset of diabetes, cancer, and high cholesterol.

If fear is keeping you from the doctor’s office, consider seeking support. It is never a bad idea to talk out what frightens you with a therapist. Finding a good friend or family member who will be a reliable emotional help to accompany you during appointments is a great option. Starting fresh with a new doctor can help ease all parties into a comfortable situation. It is a clean slate for quality patient-doctor communication and establishment.

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he is examining the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments, and teaching and motivating students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.