There are always plenty of great examples to support either side of this ongoing debate. If you find a doctor, just hope he's a good one. Same goes with auto mechanics, chiropractors, and navigators.

Grab - I've always been proud to be a wimp who can't put up with a little pain and just bear it silently. I groan, whimper and whine. In fact, the moment I feel any pain I rush off to get expert medical assistance! Usually it's from the chiropractor. Lately I've been doing hatha yoga, and I no longer seem to need the chiropractor, which is a benefit to my finances.

Oh. And I am a man. :-) I've always been kind of a nonconformist, though, for some reason...

Speaking of personal anecdotes...I had a great-uncle who died in his sleep at the age of 98, having not seen the doctor in 3 or 4 decades. As you suggest, he no doubt put off seeing the doctor until it was too late...

Tragic. Just tragic. When will people learn?

- LH