DR YOU!
FROM GONHORREA to gut health – there’s a home test for almost every health concern. With the average wait for a GP appointment now more than two weeks*, it’s tempting to pop into a pharmacy or click to buy a test instead. And, depending on what you’re checking for, it can be a relief to carry out a test in the privacy of your home.
‘Self-testing allows users to seek help from their doctor earlier than they might have done,’ says Dr John Rees, who has more than 30 years’ experience developing medical tests for laboratory and self-test use. ‘An early diagnosis followed by early treatment can help with a positive outcome.’ But many medics are wary of the can of worms some home test results may open. ‘Doctors often see these tests causing unnecessary worry for patients,’ warns Dr Richard Vautrey at the British
