“I’d Rather Fight a Raccoon Than Call My Doctor”: The Human-Nature Ways We Avoid Early Detection
We get it. Calling your doctor about that persistent cough, odd mole, or weird gut issue feels like a hassle. You’re busy. Life is chaotic. And you’ve got a long list of things you’d rather do than follow up on subtle but persistent health changes. You think it may be a waste of time, or worse, something else to worry about. It’s human nature.
But here’s the truth bomb: making time to follow up on health changes is what leads to early detection and can save your life.
So why do we act like sharing with a doctor is a Herculean feat?
Let’s take a look at some of the human-nature things people do instead of checking in with a doctor.
1. Clean Out the Mystery Junk Drawer
You know the one. That drawer full of expired soy sauce packets, keys to nothing, an unwrapped cough drop from 2012, and batteries that may or may not work. Suddenly, alphabetizing that chaos feels more urgent than addressing the weird lump you found last week.
2. Rewatch All 3 Seasons of Couch Potato
You’ve convinced yourself that understanding the intricate psychology of desperate contestants in dystopian realities will somehow help you win the ultimate prize: ignoring that nagging symptom.
3. Argue with Strangers on the Internet
It’s 3:25 a.m. and you’re knee-deep in social media comments arguing about whether Pluto should be a planet again. Meanwhile, your actual body—like your notifications—is trying to tell you something important and waking you up about it “⚠️ THIS IS NOT NORMAL.”
The Punchline (That Could Save Your Life)
Yes, all of this is funny because it’s true. And human nature. But what’s not as funny is missing the opportunity to detect cancer early—when it’s most treatable.
At DetecTogether, we teach 3 Steps Detect®—a simple, proven method that helps people recognize subtle health changes, act early, and advocate for themselves when something feels off. While screenings are essential, they only detect about 14% of the 200+ known cancer types, focusing on just 4–5 of them. Alarmingly, half of all cancers are still diagnosed at a late stage. That’s why early detection starts with you. Let’s put down the remote, tune in to our bodies, and take charge of our health—because saving your life shouldn’t wait.
