CHRIS Kamara has urged people not to suffer in silence after opening up about his own health with his son.

Research reveals that an estimated more than 14.7 million men in Britain don’t go to the doctor even when they suffer worrying symptoms.

The study shows that a quarter of men think they can fix the problem themselves, one in eight men feel too embarrassed to see a doctor and one in 10 say they are too anxious to talk about their symptoms.

Three in 10 men are also currently hiding conditions from their family.

The study was carried out by Pharmacy2U, which has joined forces with former Bradford City boss Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara to encourage families to talk more openly together about their health.

Kammy was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid Disease) after suffering with and failing to check symptoms for nearly two years. A video of him and his son Jack (age 32) discussing the importance of talking about your health.

The research revealed that an estimated 27.8 million Brits may be suffering with undiagnosed symptoms in the UK, with 42 per cent ignoring them in the hope they go away.

Over a quarter of Brits said they don’t want to burden their GP, one in eight said they don’t feel ready to deal with their symptoms, and estimated 3.9 million people admitted they are scared that talking about their symptoms will make illness fears come true.

The age group of 45-to-54-years-old is most likely to avoid seeking medical attention.

Chris, 63, is among the age group of 55+ which came in second, followed by 35 to 44 years and 25 to 34 years.

Over one in four Brits admitted they don’t know how to talk about their health worries, with three in ten currently hiding conditions from their friends and family. Two thirds say they have googled symptoms and one third try to find reassurance online.

Chris said: “I suffered for nearly two years with my symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

“I was guilty of ignoring the symptoms in the hope they would go away.

“I’m really glad I finally sought medical advice after speaking to my family and would encourage anyone else suffering in silence with any concerns or symptoms to do the same.”

Pharmacy2U dispenses over 6.3 million repeat medicines a year to men over the age of 60, with depression and anxiety, high cholesterol, indigestion and heartburn, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and angina the most common conditions for a repeat prescription.

One in 10 men in the study say they have a repeat prescription from the doctor that they haven’t collected, with 21 per cent not knowing they could get them delivered to their doors for free.

To sign up for Pharmacy2U and have your repeat prescription delivered straight to your door, go to Pharmacy2u.co.uk