Talk to your doc for the most effective healthcare

The other day, my husband and I were listening to a health program on the radio. A man called in, asking the radio doctor about a large, troublesome and painful growth that had been worsening for nearly a year.

The on-air doc was horrified — what the man described could be anything, including cancer. Why hadn't the man talked to his doctor about the problem? Because he was embarrassed as the growth was located in a very private area of his body. I'm sure other listeners found it as ironic as we did that the man would rather go on national public radio to discuss his health concerns than go see his physician.

Surprisingly, this problem is not all that uncommon. Perhaps not to this example's extreme, but people are often hesitant to talk about their health concerns with their health care provider. Or, perhaps they uncomfortably ignore the symptoms until the issue becomes a real problem. In many cases, however, the longer we ignore something, the more potential it has to get worse.

There are many reasons people do not communicate openly with their physician. Some might be embarrassed, like the radio caller, others might be afraid of a certain diagnosis, and still others might avoid the doctor's office completely, fearing that they can't afford treatment. Following are a few suggestions to help open the lines of communication between you and your health care provider.

Doctors are people who have decided to make their careers out of helping people. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to clearly communicate your problem. If a trip to the doctor's office never fails to make you nervous, try writing your concerns down, and then read them to the doctor.

Another key is not to be embarrassed. After years of medical school and training, most doctors have seen pretty much everything. Besides, they legally and ethically cannot reveal your information to anyone without your consent. Being open and honest about your symptoms will better assist your doctor in finding the correct diagnosis and treatment.

If your concern is fear-based; fear of possible treatments, or fear of potential costs, talk to your doctor about these as well. Not only will he or she do their best to address your issue and assuage your fears, they will work with you to find a solution.

While you're with your doctor, remember that it's OK to ask questions. Sometimes doctors use medical terminology that is not familiar to us. Or they might suggest a therapy you've never heard of. Ask your doctor to explain it to you. He or she will be happy to answer your questions, thus making you more comfortable in the process.

Additionally, there are other ways to get informed. If you have just been diagnosed with a certain type of cancer, for example, chances are there's information out there at the library or online. Just be sure your source is a reliable one, such as the American Cancer Society or the American Medical Association. It's important to keep in mind that getting misinformation about your concern might do more harm than good.

To have an effective relationship with your doctor, you may need to assert yourself to some extent. Doctors are well-respected and well-educated people that we look up to — but they're still people. Don't let yourself go through your appointment without voicing your concerns. Doctors are not mind-readers. If you have a problem or question, speak up! Recent studies from the U.S. Public Health Service have shown that people who effectively communicate with their doctors enjoy overall better health than people who are too passive at their appointments.

Next time you're in the doctor's office, remember that communicating effectively with your health care provider is one of the best things you can do for your health!