Re: Why so many cancer ads on television?

WSfan · ‎03-09-2010

Had been cancer free for 9 1/2 years before it decided to reoccur. This time it required chemotherapy. Asked my oncologist about a second opinion, and she said absolutely, BUT stay away from CTCA. My husband and I decided to stay with doctors in one hospital system. Just makes things much easier when you need to see another specialist. When you have your doctor requesting an appointment, things go at light speed. I am lucky to live in an area of the country where I have many good hospitals to choose from. I am also a survivor of multiple pulmonary embolisms. That was no picnic. Things are going well, and feeling more like myself again. Those type of commercials on TV upset me to no end. It seems like you just can't get away from your problems, when all you want is some diversion. I don't like seeing that on TV everytime I turn it on.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
OP, I'm not sure who it is that you want to "scale back". The networks? I really doubt any network will turn down advertising dollars, and the treatment centers must be getting a lot of referrals with those ads, or they wouldn't run them.

I always record my shows and when I play them back, I FF through the commercials, so I rarely, if ever, see them.

Here's another consideration ...... statistics say 1 in every 3 Americans will have some sort of cancer in their lifetime. Take some hypothetical person who just got the diagnosis .... they have a lot of decisions to make and those commercials will come to mind.

Thanks for your input on this thread. Yes, the statistics say 1 in 3 Americans will have some sort of cancer in their lifetime. And I happen to be one of the 3. Was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma a year ago, and have been on chemo treatments 1 year this month. Started me out of Yervoy.....4 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks...... Then from there I was put on OPDIVO......it is one of the treatments that has been advertised a lot. It is very potent, and being used for more than lung cancer. It hasn't been out on the market very long. My oncologist has had several of his cancer patients on it, and so far I am the only one still on it. The others just couldn't handle it and he had to take them off of it and use a different kind of treatment. He is very pleased with the results he is getting with me. I was not having the infusions done via a port, and when he told me I would be needing at least another year or two of treatments, decided I better have a port inserted in order to save my veins. So, tomorrow will be the first treatment with the new port. Yes, I am a little anxious about it, but am sure it will be fine.

Let me tell you, it is no picnic having to have any of these treatments..... And the more we know that is available out there, the better our chances are.

I do know that something is in the work to stop all of these kinds of advertising......and I too, agree something has to be done about it. First, we have to have trust in our doctor to know he knows what is available for him to treat us. My oncologist keeps very close tabs on me, and makes sure that I have the full body PET scans, etc. when it is time. Also, have had 2 brain MRI's...... So, he is on top of things.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@SeaMaiden wrote:
Because cancer equals MONEY$$$$$$$. Period.

Or it could save a life.......

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@wagirl wrote:
Cancer is the soup du jour these days---and it is all about the money, but HOPEFULLY, more money equals better treatments and better odds for surviving. I was dx in 2012 with breast cancer and my bills were astronomical but I had awesome insurance and a world class cancer center very near me. I still cringed at the very word CANCER so all the ads are hard for me to watch. And I'm not sure if the
people who don't have good insurance or a good center to go to would even be able to seek the kind of treatment that is advertised. I think I heard the the one advertised on TV charges $20,000 a month and that most insurances won't cover it. I don't have that kind of money. My treatment plan started in April and ended the middle of the next January. Thats almost 9 months at $20K a pop= alot of money!!! I do believe those cancer centers are for the more advanced and difficult to treat too.

I thank God that I have superb health care coverage. I know exactly how much each OPDIVO treatment costs......try $26,000 for each treatment. No, Medicare does not approve the $26,000. They approved $6,000, and my supplemental pays 20% of that amount. I get my quarterly report from Medicare, and my monthly report from my supplemental. So, I know how expensive it is. I too wonder what folks do when they don't have any health coverage......

My treatments started a year ago, and have just recently been informed by my oncologist that I will probably need the treatments for at least 1 more year or even move.......Some cancers take longer to kill.....and I happen to have one that may never be gotten rid of, but may only be kept under control with the treatments. The kind of cancer I have is always in the Stage 4 area......and if I go into remission, they will always have to keep a close eye on me with Scans, etc.

I would never wish this on my most hated enemy.......

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@patbz wrote:
DH and I watch tv with all the drug ads and wonder at whom they are aimed? Do patients go into their doctors offices and ask for specific drugs? Really?

Maybe you should ask your doctor this question. Of course people go into their doctor's office and question if this or that will help them. My internist and I have discussed this numerous times. The doctor's don't like all the advertising that goes on.....

This is why I say we should trust our doctor and believe the doctor will treat us with the best that is available to treat us. If you don't trust your doctor, then maybe it is time for find a new one...

Blahblahvampemer · ‎08-31-2010

@patbz wrote:
DH and I watch tv with all the drug ads and wonder at whom they are aimed? Do patients go into their doctors offices and ask for specific drugs? Really?

Yes, they do. Americans take roughly half of the world's drugs, and part of the reason why is simply that we want them, and someone else will pay for it. We want our symptoms of whatever controlled so we get the drugs. It's not like this in other countries in general, but in particular, the ads may not be legal.

Read it! New England Journal of Medicine—May 21, 2020
Universal Masking in Hospitals in the Covid-19 Era

“We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection.

Luvtoshopathome · ‎03-09-2010

@WSfan wrote:
Had been cancer free for 9 1/2 years before it decided to reoccur. This time it required chemotherapy. Asked my oncologist about a second opinion, and she said absolutely, BUT stay away from CTCA. My husband and I decided to stay with doctors in one hospital system. Just makes things much easier when you need to see another specialist. When you have your doctor requesting an appointment, things go at light speed. I am lucky to live in an area of the country where I have many good hospitals to choose from. I am also a survivor of multiple pulmonary embolisms. That was no picnic. Things are going well, and feeling more like myself again. Those type of commercials on TV upset me to no end. It seems like you just can't get away from your problems, when all you want is some diversion. I don't like seeing that on TV everytime I turn it on.

WSfan.....I'm so sorry that your cancer has reoccurred. I hope that your chemo treatments will be successful and that you will be cancer free again. It's good to hear that things are going well for you now and I hope they continue. I don't know if you are religious but prayer is very powerful. St. Peregrine is the Patron Saint for cancer patients.

I so agree with you about those commercials being so upsetting and I too want to watch TV without seeing them. Sometimes people who haven't gone through this horrid disease just can't understand how we feel every time we hear the word cancer or see the many commercials about it. Good luck to you and may you live a long and healthy life.😊

WSfan · ‎03-09-2010

Luvtoshopathome---Thank you for all your well wishes. Just visited my oncologist today after a CT scan last week, and found that there is no indication of cancer. Also the cancer markers in my blood are within normal limits. So, I guess that I am in remission! Will have to continue to have monthly blood tests and frequent doctor visits, but was extremely happy with this news. Has been a tough 6 months, not just for me, but also for my husband, children, family and friends. Everyone who knows and cares about you is affected by this cr@ppy disease.

Luvtoshopathome · ‎03-09-2010

@WSfan wrote:
Luvtoshopathome---Thank you for all your well wishes. Just visited my oncologist today after a CT scan last week, and found that there is no indication of cancer. Also the cancer markers in my blood are within normal limits. So, I guess that I am in remission! Will have to continue to have monthly blood tests and frequent doctor visits, but was extremely happy with this news. Has been a tough 6 months, not just for me, but also for my husband, children, family and friends. Everyone who knows and cares about you is affected by this cr@ppy disease.

I am so happy for you and your wonderful news. I know how tough it is not only on the patient but on the family and friends. My mom was 84 when I was diagnosed and I think I was more worried about her than myself. Thank God I had an excellent surgeon and he removed the mass and told my sister that he got it all and everything was clear. Unfortunately Or maybe I should say fortunately I remember nothing except for the surgeon asking me if I was ready......days later I had a very bad seizure and was in critical care. I never had a seizure in my life but didn't know it until my sister told me after I was in rehab. My family and friends visited me in the hospital but I never knew because I remembered nothing until the day I was wheeled out into the ambulance to go to rehab. It's so strange but I remembered being prepped for surgery but nothing else until the day I left the hospital for rehab. My family and friends thought I was joking that I didn't remember because they said I was sitting up eating and talking to them when I was brought to my room. I really thank God for not remembering because I am an extremely nervous person. I still thank him today and everyday for getting me through it all. And again I'm happy that you received good news.