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.
Conclusion: 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.