Brits dodge doctor visits over embarrassment fears A new study reveals millions of Brits are avoiding medical advice due to embarrassment, delays, and fears of not being taken seriously. 24 April 2026 Brits are avoiding trips to the doctor out of embarrassment, with many fearing bad news or not being taken seriously. A man talking to a doctor A poll of 2,000 adults found common complaints like sore throats (74 per cent), headaches (77 per cent) and stomach aches (66 per cent) are frequently ignored rather than checked by a professional.