Not Letting Fear Hold You Back
- Not letting the fear of being weighed keep you from the doctor could help save your life.
- You have options to ease your anxiety like simply asking not to be weighed, or showing a card that expresses your desire.
- Still, some medical professionals do say weight measurement is an important health assessment tool.
- One of the worst things you can do for your health is avoid the doctor because you feel scared or judged. Addressing any concerning symptoms is crucial to cancer prevention, detection and care.
- And by attending recommended screenings regularly, doctors can check for signs of cancer in the earliest stages which can lead to more treatment options and a higher likelihood of entering remission.
A popular body-positivity advocate got the conversation started on Instagram. In a recent post, influencer Katie Sturino addressed weight bias and healthcare advocacy. Weight bias, according to the World Health Organization, is defined as negative attitudes towards, and beliefs about, others because of their weight.
Read MoreThe story Sturino shared in her video had to do with a follower who went to the doctor and asked if the weight assessment of her visit was medically necessary for her appointment. They said no, and she carried on without having to be weighed.View this post on Instagram
If you’re anything like Sturino’s follower, or the many others who commented on her post, you have options to ease your anxiety without avoiding the doctor. And not letting this fear keep you from getting checked out could even help save your life.
What to Do When You Don’t Want to be Weighed at the Doctor
If you’re comfortable, you can simply ask the doctor, nurse or medical assistant if you can skip the weigh-in. If not, there are other ways to express your desire.
On thing that’s been gaining traction across social media and healthcare systems are small cards that says “Please don’t weigh me”, which you can hand to the person instead. The premise is: “Please don’t weigh me unless it’s (really) medically necessary.”
The creator of the cards, Ginny Jones, told TODAY she began asking not to be weighed at doctor’s appointments as part of her eating disorder recovery.
“I myself recovered from an almost lifelong eating disorder. And when I did, being weighed at the doctor’s office was very stressful,” Jones said. “I knew that, especially among people with a history of eating disorders, being weighed is not a helpful way to begin every medical appointment.”
They have cards at my doctor's office now to tell them if you'd prefer not to be weighed ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/6jgbFfiAOO
Dani Donovan 👩ðŸ»â€ðŸŽ¨ ADHD Comics (@danidonovan) December 15, 2021
Family nurse practitioner Ann Wieseler told TODAY that although there are some situations that require weight monitoring like for certain medications or prior to surgery the practice is not always necessary. Her office started offering the “Please don’t weigh me” cards over two years ago, and every patient gets asked whether or not they want to be weighed that day with or without them.
“Patients have really appreciated it,” Wieseler said. “It almost instantly creates that connection and that environment where they do feel safe (to open up about issues regarding being weighed).”
That being said, some healthcare professionals understand that although weight can be a sensitive issue, it can be a healpful measurement to ensure quality care.
"Weight measurement is an important health assessment tool," Dr. Saima Lodhi, an internal medicine physician with Scripps Coastal Medical Center Hillcrest, said in an article for Scripps Health. "Checking weight allows us to capture unexpected or unintended weight fluctuations that can prompt screening into more serious medical concerns or adjustments to medication doses.”
Dr. Siu Ming Geary, an internal medicine physician with Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo, echoed Dr. Lodi’s thoughts in the article. And while she would prefer to talk with patients about why weight is an important health factor, she did appreciate the "only if absolutely necessary" component of the “Please don’t weigh me” cards.
"Of course, if they bring in this card, our staff will explain why we need their weight. If they still decline, they can see the physician first and go from there. We never force a patient to do something they don't want to do," Dr. Geary said. "If a patient declines to be weighed due to concerns about fat-shaming or body image, it signals to me that I may want to screen the patient for potential issues, such as depression, body dysmorphia or other issues that might be negatively impacting the patient's physical and mental health.
"These conditions are treatable, but we can only address them if we have an opportunity to diagnose them."
Regardless of how you feel about being weighed (or anything else related to your care), it's important to feel comfortable with your care team and let your providers know if you have any questions or concerns. One of the worst things you can do for your health is avoid the doctor altogether because you’re feeling scared, judged or triggered. Know that you deserve to feel cared for and heard no matter what. And not letting weight anxiety keep you from getting checked out can help save your life.
Avoiding the Doctors
Many people do not like going to the doctor, but it's important to address any sort of doctor-related fear because staying on top of appointments and seeking care when things feel off are crucial to cancer prevention, early cancer detection and successful cancer care.
In a column for SurvivorNet, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shared her advice for one SurvivorNet community member who wrote in about her breast cancer diagnosis and fear of the doctors.
"I want to reassure you that being fearful of doctors and all medical settings is an extremely common phenomenon," Dr. Strongin wrote. "Many individuals fear going to the doctor not because they are afraid of doctors themselves, but rather what seeing a doctor represents the unknown and possibly bad news."
She went on to explain that, in this woman's case, seeing the doctors as well as the thought of eventually having surgery and undergoing treatment was, very understandably, putting her body "into reaction mode."
"This feels scary, because it is scary," she wrote encouraging her to acknowledge the reality of her situation. "Later, it's important that we begin to change your association with doctors (bad news, more unknowns) to something less anxiety provoking. For example, 'doctors are saving my life and giving me the information I never had.' Rather than associating doctors with 'bad news' we can change it to 'important news.'
"Once we can associate doctors with something more healing, you may be more likely to trust the medical setting. With trust you may begin to feel less scared."
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Then, addressing the woman's tendency to avoid the doctors altogether, Dr. Strongin told her that avoidance will only prolong her panic symptoms.
"It will be important that you acknowledge your desire to avoid, but still follow through. Avoidance only feeds our fear and anxiety," she wrote. "When you begin to feel panic symptoms such as the sensation of being 'paralyzed,' it will be critical that we calm your body and reorient your mind."
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One way to do so, Dr. Strongin says, it to use a technique called the "3-3-3 Rule" which invites a person to name three things you see, list three things you hear and finally move three parts of your body.
"By doing this when you notice your panic symptoms coming on, your body will begin to slow down and your mind will focus on the present," Dr. Strongin wrote.
The Importance of Cancer Screenings and Advocating for Your Health
Whether you are currently battling cancer or worried you might have it, it's always important to advocate for your health. Cancer is an incredibly serious disease, and you need to make sure your concerns are always being voiced and heard. Even if there are just some inexplicable changes to your health, it’s crucial to see a doctor promptly.
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In addition, screenings are critical when it comes to getting a cancer diagnosis early.
By attending recommended screenings regularly, doctors can check for signs of cancer in the earliest stages. This, in turn, can lead to more treatment options and a higher likelihood of entering remission.
It is Important to Continue Screenings Through COVID-19
Screening recommendations can vary depending on the type of cancer and your risk factors, so it's important to pay attention to guidelines. If you want to know what screening recommendations are appropriate for you, have a conversation with your doctor about screening recommendations and your cancer risk.
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With breast cancer, for example, screening is typically done via mammogram which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn't have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer such as a BRCA gene mutation or a medical history including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. Beyond genetics, family history and experience with radiation therapy, experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
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"We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving," Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, previously told SurvivorNet. "After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years.
“But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."
In an overview of some basic cancer screening recommendations for people at an average risk for certain cancers, the American Cancer Society included the following info:
- Cervical cancer screening is recommended for people with a cervix beginning at age 25.
- Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for everyone beginning at age 45.
- At age 45, African Americans should discuss prostate cancer screening with a doctor.
- At age 50, people who currently smoke or formerly smoked should discuss lung cancer screening with a doctor.
- Discussing prostate cancer screening with a doctor is recommended at age 50.
The above recommendations certainly do not make up an all-inclusive list. So, always take charge of your health and make sure you’re talking with your doctors about what screenings you should be doing given your unique background and risk assessment.
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