Commercialization of breast cancer

[PolePosition]

I always suspected that the Susan B. Komen breast cancer awareness month was some kind of scam, but new independent research/evidence says that it actually might be.

Hopefully they get investigated by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) for deceptive marketing and fraudulent activities.

A few other lesser-known cancer charities were shut down by the feds after it was determined that the people running it were pocketing the donations and using that money to purchase cars, houses, boats, and to go on vacations.

It's also funny that after the countless billions of dollars that have been funneled into breast cancer research, we aren't any closer to curing breast cancer then we were 50 years ago, which makes you wonder where this money is going and what it's being used for.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037802_pi...orruption.html

 

[Sevrin]

I always suspected that the Susan B. Komen breast cancer awareness month was some kind of scam, but new independent research/evidence says that it actually might be.

Susan B. Komen for the Cure was not mentioned in that article at all, nor is it associated with the entities under investigation. While they do spend a fair amount on fundraising, and their CEO is paid extremely well, they also disburse 80% on programs, and have a 96% transparency rating with at least one charity-checking site.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4509#.VwsC6_krJhE

 

[PolePosition]

Cancer is a multi-billion dollar industry whose profits and very existence depends on the continual perpetuation of cancer.

The pharmaceutical industry makes many billions of dollars per year in profits from chemotherapy drugs.

If cancer was somehow cured, these rich corporations would go bankrupt, and their investors/stakeholders would also go broke.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

Cancer is a multi-billion dollar industry whose profits and very existence depends on the continual perpetuation of cancer.

The pharmaceutical industry makes many billions of dollars per year in profits from chemotherapy drugs.

If cancer was somehow cured, these rich corporations would go bankrupt, and their investors/stakeholders would also go broke.

It almost sounds like you are insinuating that charities and pharma companies are responsible for the continued existence of cancer. Your third remark was really far reaching imo.

But I am no fan of the drug companies. I was prescribed a drug a while back. Doctor was taking part in some sort of study, or survey, idk, on how patients reacted to it. Pretty sure he got something for it, how much who knows.

I, the guinea pig, also got something out of it. I got to pay $700 a month (after insurance) to participate. Was a great drug for the first few weeks, then no effect at all. Around month 2 1/2, he wanted to up the dosage. When I saw the price of the increased dose, I politely bowed out.

 

[JickyJuly]

I don't know about how they handle their money, but I resent Susan G for cute-ifying/sexualizing a cancer because it occurs mainly to women, making it seem like an affliction that happens only to women in a way that might make men who have breast cancer feel shame and not least of all their slut shaming.

 

[WebcamStartup]

There is corruption in every 'niche' of the non-profit sector. Hell, there's advantages to just having a pocket 501(c)3 simply for corruption. The fact that there are bad apples doesn't mean that the non-profit sector doesn't accomplishes a lot of good, and with less overhead than the private sector and far-far-less overhead than the public sector.

Research the organization before donating and shop local foundations first, if possible, and if they're effective organizations.

 

[PolePosition]

The overly-aggressive marketing of breast cancer awareness is extremely annoying and unavoidable as it is on TV, radio, the internet, magazines, billboards, at grocery stores, and just absolutely everywhere....

You are BOMBARDED with pink this and pink that every October, and it seems to get worse with each passing year. Even the NFL has joined in on the "pinkwashing" crap.

This has led me to believe that there is something fishy going on behind it, and there are likely ulterior political motives.

There are cancers other than breast cancer (that affect both genders) and are much deadlier and more prevalent, but where are the bombardment fundraiser marketing campaigns for those?

 

[justjoinedtopost]

This has led me to believe that there is something fishy going on behind it, and there are likely ulterior political motives.

Got any theories you feel comfortable sharing?

 

[RebeccaT]

It's also funny that after the countless billions of dollars that have been funneled into breast cancer research, we aren't any closer to curing breast cancer then we were 50 years ago, which makes you wonder where this money is going and what it's being used for.

If I'd had my breast cancer twenty years ago I'd be dead now. If I'd had it ten years ago I'd be in a sorry state now. I had it three years ago and apart from some crazy looking boobs and a few permanent side effects of chemotherapy, you wouldn't know I'd had it. I'm looking forward to the rest of my life.

Thank god for the money funnelled into research.

 

[RebeccaT]

The overly-aggressive marketing of breast cancer awareness is extremely annoying and unavoidable as it is on TV, radio, the internet, magazines, billboards, at grocery stores, and just absolutely everywhere....

You are BOMBARDED with pink this and pink that every October, and it seems to get worse with each passing year. Even the NFL has joined in on the "pinkwashing" crap.

This has led me to believe that there is something fishy going on behind it, and there are likely ulterior political motives.

There are cancers other than breast cancer (that affect both genders) and are much deadlier and more prevalent, but where are the bombardment fundraiser marketing campaigns for those?

Here in the UK all cancers get pretty much equal coverage unless it's a specific "prostate week" or "breast week" or "lung week" etc

 

[JerryBoBerry]

If I'd had my breast cancer twenty years ago I'd be dead now. If I'd had it ten years ago I'd be in a sorry state now. I had it three years ago and apart from some crazy looking boobs and a few permanent side effects of chemotherapy, you wouldn't know I'd had it. I'm looking forward to the rest of my life.

Thank god for the money funnelled into research.

As soon as I saw this thread, in the back of my mind I was wondering if you would read it and reply.

 

[RebeccaT]

And to add...cures have been found for many cancers. What research now does is find better cures, which don't do so much damage. Ways to target only the cancer cells and not also kill off or damage the healthy are being found.

Right, I'm off to dance like an idiot x

 

[JerryBoBerry]

For anyone wanting to actually learn what all has been advanced in cancer treatment, this article covers the last 10 years nicely. Shows just where all that money has gone and what it's achieved.

http://www.cancerprogress.net/cca/how-far-weve-come-decade-review

 

[Shaun__]

If someone had come up to me while I was laying in the reclining chair being pumped full of poison and asked me if I would pay even more money for a better less painful cure, I would have been telling them to hold on a second while I got a second mortgage on my house. A "cure" would be much more valuable than chemo.