title: Barriers to help-seeking in men diagnosed with benign colorectal diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the help-seeking pathway for lower bowel symptoms in men diagnosed with benign bowel diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed thematically using Andersen's Model of Patient Delay as the theoretical framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major delaying factors were attribution of symptoms to self-limiting conditions, failure to make time to visit a GP, low expectation of help from the GP, fear of cancer diagnosis and embarrassment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major causes of delay in help-seeking were related to the participants, whereas factors associated with treatment delay were less prominent in diagnostic delay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Curtin University, Perth WA, Australia deveshvarun.oberoi@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Devesh V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Oberoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Curtin University, Perth WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Moyez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hodder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*