Doug I didn't say to avoid periodic checkups. And I'm not saying doctors don't help. What I advocate is to try to live a lifestyle that can reduce chances of getting sick, and avoid the need for doctors. Medications and surgery are not as good as staying healthy in the first place. Yes illness can happen to all of us and there's a need for those things. Eventually we all meet our maker. Also, sometimes the treatment is as bad as the illness, or even worse, and well intentioned doctors prolong a bad situation. And sometimes quality of life is such that a patient is better off not dragging things out. I've seen it.