The cancercenter commercials

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

Speaking of things that really irritate us!-

(we're all on a roll today!)

I am beginning to hate these commercials with that affected, lilting, sort of supposed to be soothing singsong voice.

Note that they only take people with insurance and even then you probably have to be rich.

Also that other major and reputable cancer centers have the same innovative treatments. These centers strike me as all about big money! And why do they have to advertise on so many channels so many times?!

Okay, I think that's it for today

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

PhilaLady1 · ‎03-11-2010

I hate those commercials. Giving false hope to the most desparate. Should be illegal, IMO.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I find those ads obnoxious and misleading. They try to portray their hospitals as able to work miracles, as if places like Sloan Kettering, for example, are inferior. It’s absurd but when people are desperate, they may be willing to believe anything that gives them hope. There are wonderful not-for-profit hospitals around the country. University hospitals in every state are engaged in research, clinical trials, and state-of-the-art treatment. I admit that I’m bothered by hospitals whose main goal is making money from cancer. As the O/P wrote, you are not allowed in the door unless and until your insurance checks out. Compare that to St. Jude’s, for example.

Glitter51 · ‎08-23-2010

I knew a friend of the family that went to the cancer center hospital, and yes, he had to provide financial statements to them. Unfortunately, he ended up dying from cancer. Like someone said- it’s like giving false hope.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

I've often wondered myself regarding "insurance" for those cancer center commercials. No mention of Medicare in those commercials either.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

shopperqvc · ‎03-10-2010

My BIL loves them because he got treatment, and he's doing fine. My 2nd cousin went there, they gave it a try, it didn't work and he lost his life. It's a mixed bag of results. That being said, cancer is different for each patient. Wherever you go for help, they can only try. Some pateints do well, and others don't respond. It's a terrible illness that no one has a definate cure for. The different labs are trying to find things in common, but it will be years before they may be some real help. I got angry at the one research lab that called me several times a week not asking for money, but spending donated money to tell me how to vote. I finally told them I wasn't happy with how they were spending research money. I don't know what they did about it, but they guy I spoke with told me I was right. Money has to be spent on the labs not pols. I've lost many relatives to this awful illness, and we really need not just hide the symptoms, but cures.

Azcowgirl · ‎04-10-2012

I have friends who were very disappointed with CCA... she ( a nurse) had treatment but died of cancer. Her husband said they are all about money and the experience was very depressing.

eta.....The voice in the commercial sounds like Ashley Judd .....😝

trenet · ‎03-26-2017

I know no specifics about CancerCenters of America.

I will note, however, that every doctor, lab, imaging center, etc

that I have been to, verify insurance and most make you sign papers confirming that, if your insurance does not cover, then you are responsible for payment. (Often whether a procedure is covered depends on coding, both treatment codes and diagnostic codes.)

This has been my experience during 25 years of treatments for a chronic form of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and 3+ years of metastatic breast cancer. (Both stage 4 at time of diagnosis)

Another group of cancer ads that I hate are the ones for M.D. Anderson where they talk of kicking cancer’s butt. Cancer is not a separate entity with a personality!

Ibby114 · ‎03-10-2010

@Vivian wrote:
I find those ads obnoxious and misleading. They try to portray their hospitals as able to work miracles, as if places like Sloan Kettering, for example, are inferior. It’s absurd but when people are desperate, they may be willing to believe anything that gives them hope. There are wonderful not-for-profit hospitals around the country. University hospitals in every state are engaged in research, clinical trials, and state-of-the-art treatment. I admit that I’m bothered by hospitals whose main goal is making money from cancer. As the O/P wrote, you are not allowed in the door unless and until your insurance checks out. Compare that to St. Jude’s, for example.

@Vivian my sister is being treated at Memorial Sloan in NYC now. When going through the diagnosis process I asked her what she thought of the cancer centers that advertise- she felt they were for people who didn't have access to a Memorial Sloan type facility. I just get a bad vibe- the same with the prescription med commericlals. Medicine has become big business, the health care aspect almost seems like a secondary consideration

PamfromCT · ‎05-22-2014

Yes, those ads greatly annoy me. They seem to infer their facilities are the best of the best, like this is the place you go to get treatment from people who truly care about you. So wrong.

While not a caregiver, my DD works in research, now at a second university in her career. The hours these people work are beyond belief. It is more than a job. And those providing direct care are so dedicated. I will add that people involved in research at these places are always writing papers and sharing results of research.

Cancer is a scourge, and more funds should be allotted for research. It took the life of a very dear friend and affects so many people.