I think like with most things, the middle ground is best. Avoiding the doctor altogether because of denial doesn't make a disease disappear, it only makes it so you don't know about it, and therefore, are allowing it to progress unabated. But being a hypochondriac can be damaging as well, people don't need to go to the doctor for every little sniffle, and likely the doctor won't be able to help you with a common cold anyway.

There is a service that's a bit controversial within the medical community, which is a full body CT scan. It basically takes a picture of your entire body, head to toe, so they can literally see if there's anything weird going on, like an enlarged heart, an infection, a tumor, etc. However, many doctors believe this will only lead people to end up getting many unnecessary tests done when there's likely nothing wrong with them in the first place. Many believe it's just a money making scam that feeds off hypochondriacs. I think getting a full body CT scan would be interesting though at the very least. However, it does expose your body to significant levels of radiation, much more than an ordinary X ray, but even then, the risk of increasing cancer is extremely low.

One of our defense mechanism is denial, though we feel something we tend not to mind it at all except if it gets worst and needs medical advise, sometimes screening test are helpful to detect any problems. A not being greed medical personnel won't put you on risk by giving you a test which are not necessary.

Both my husband and I are the kind of people who do their best to take good care of their body and health, and only go to the doctor when something seems wrong. However, I think some of the checkups do need to be done - like the yearly PAP smear for women.

I mostly agree with the replies here. Avoiding health screening is not going to help you. I suggest you go for regular checkups but then its upto you to believe in the doc or not but screening would atleast inform you of any future trouble.

I think getting checked is a very good idea. You might have a problem that you need to know about. It could be too late by the time you find out about it. I like to be sure I am in good health, and sometimes the doctor will advise me on what to do, how to eat, and what supplements to take, so they can be very helpful.

I think you should get your checkups! You might learn something new, and you might be very happy with the results. I get checked by my doctor at least once a year.

there are actually psychological disorders that cause people to believe they are sick when they aren't and generally preoccupy themselves with concerns about their health.
i'm not saying that this person necessarily has it, but i'm just making the point that those do exist

I personally believe from past experiences that you should go in for your yearly check up atleast! You might not want to find out negative news but it is better to assure yourself of your health!

I usually go for full body checkups every 2 years. Apart from it I visit my doc when I necessary. I don't think I am overdoing it or something. Everyone has different requirements and I think its better to visit doctor than to repent later for not visiting him.

I think it is always a very good idea to get checked out too. My friend just found out she has breast cancer but she was lucky because she caught it early.