Survey reveals important medical statistics

By Shaun Garrity An informal survey of Windsorites reveals that adults under the age of 30 are most likely to avoid the doctor’s office, compared to people over 40.

A recent survey conducted over two days in the downtown area asked people the following questions:  How many times a year do you go to the doctor, why or why not, and how old are you. The evaluation took place on Ouellette Avenue over a span of two hours. Ninety three per cent of adults between the ages of 34 and 82 said they see a doctor each year.

The main reasons most sought a doctor is because of work, blood pressure, and low sugar.  Seven per cent sought medical attention for cancer-related illnesses. According to Statistics Canada, cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, was responsible for 30 per cent of the deaths in 2009. Heart disease was the second leading cause of death, followed by stroke. These three causes combined accounted for 56 per cent of all Canadian deaths in 2009, a decrease from 61 per cent observed in 2000.

When men and women from ages 18 to 30 were asked if they see a doctor annually 62.5 per cent said, they do not. Ron Foster, president of public affairs at Windsor Regional hospital has been working in the health sector for more than 30 years. He believes people seeking a physician are usually middle-aged or older.

“When you’re young (you think) you’re invincible,” said Foster.

When asked why they do not go to the doctor, some said they were healthy or did not have the time.

“Moving in to your 40s and especially 50s when things start happening to their health they are fearful of what might be discovered,” said Foster.

Jessica, who did not want to give her last name, is a secretary at the Satellite Renal Clinic which also is owned by Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital, claims patients are “hypochondriacs.”

“They hear something on TV and they’re like that sounds like what I have,” said Jessica.

Graham Briscoe, a student at the University of Western Ontario, will be finishing his last year in medical school this summer. He said there are various reasons why patients do not seek medical attention. Females from puberty to age 40 are supposed to be screened every three years for cervical cancer by a pelvic exam and Pap smear. Males between ages 50 and 75 should be screened annually for prostate cancer and every three to 10 years for colon cancer.

“Women are generally good at coming (to the doctor) on a regular basis. Mind you, the pelvic exam is not a comfortable experience,” said Briscoe. “It’s generally the wives of the men that will make them come in, it is usually not on their own doing.”