Pubs are the new health hubs, research reveals

In fact, over one-in-three (36%) are more likely to open up about personal issues while having a drink in a relaxed setting than in a text or WhatsApp message (9%) or even during a phone call (8%).
 
With eight-in-ten people agreeing that talking to others about their health-related concerns is the first step to seeking professional help, less than half (49%) say they are comfortable doing so. 
 
Under 25’s are most likely to talk about their problems and feelings with 72% needing little encouragement - compared to just 35% of the over 65’s.

Nearly one in five would be happy to share their worries with their local pub landlord (Image: Hayley C / Greene King) The study, commissioned by pub and brewery company Greene King to mark its £20m fundraising milestone for Macmillan Cancer Support, revealed that cancer is the nation’s most feared health concern (62%) followed by Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease (39%) and heart problems (38%).
 
The main reason people avoid sharing their concerns is because they don’t want to burden others or feel that their fears are too personal to share (34%).
 
However, nearly one in five (17%) of the 2,000 adults polled said they would be happy to share their worries with their local pub landlord, landlady or bar staff and over half (60%) who had spoken about their issues in the past said it had greatly reduced their stress levels. 
 
Greene King - for more information visit here - enlisted TV Doctor and NHS GP Dr Dawn Harper to swap her stethoscope for pulling pints. The GP, who presented TV’s Embarrassing Bodies, got behind the bar with Azmina Rose, a Personalised Care Lead at Macmillan Cancer Support to act as guest landladies for the day and discuss the research. 
 
According to the data, the average person knows four other people who have had cancer, while three-in-five (61%) are worried about getting it themselves and 68% want more conversations about the impact of the disease on peoples’ lives.  

Current figures show there are around 3 million people in the currently UK living with cancer and with an ageing population, this is set to rise to 4 million by 2030i. 
 
With many patients facing ongoing disruption to care and treatment, loss of income and everything else a diagnosis brings, this means the support that Macmillan provides is now more important than ever.  
 
Greene King today celebrates a significant fundraised sum of £20m for its long-term charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support, though pub communities nationwide. That amount could fund 150 Macmillan nurses for a year, provide 30,000 patients with cash grants and help fund the Macmillan Cancer Support Line phone service for a year.
 
Dr Harper explains why a socially safe space to open up with friends and family about real life issues is so important to health, saying: “Your average Brit is completely correct that talking about a problem is often the first step to seeking medical help. 
 
 “The old adage, a problem shared is a problem halved, was borne out of a medical study that showed the immediacy of how sharing concerns brightened outlooks as a result – often leading to a plan to go and see a doctor or helped to unpack the weight of associated emotions. 
 
“The fact that for many Brits their local pub can offer this kind of sharing environment makes it an important institute socially, facilitating informal talking therapies between friends and family or those you trust.” 
 
Azmina Rose, who was herself supported by Macmillan and now works with them to support others, said: “Cancer can be scary and comes with significant uncertainty for what the future might hold. Worries, fears and concerns about the consequences of cancer and its treatment are natural, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to cope with. Everyone’s needs are different and will vary at different points of their cancer experience, but we want to make sure people are supported to live their lives as fully as they can through providing emotional and practical support."