Why I am not an advocate for disease

Save the Ta-Tas! We’re Making Cancer History. Recognize these slogans? The marketing and promotion of cancer and other diseases including the latest drugs and hospitals, is something that gets under my skin. While I understand why we should celebrate success stories and be optimistic about new treatments and therapies, the reality is often far different from the catchy slogans.

News flash: We’re not winning the war on cancer. Cancer is not one disease but many complex diseases which require different approaches in prevention and treatment. Some types of cancer we may never understand. Of course there has been progress, and there are exciting new treatment options available for some, but cancer is not going away anytime soon. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer (SNL throwback) but having gone through the diagnosis of cancer twice, it wasn’t the pink ribbon or the slogan “Cancer, we have you surrounded” that got me through it. I guess marketing such as this may make people feel more at ease with the idea of cancer, or that they are getting the best treatment possible, or that we are close to finding a cure, but it certainly does not make a person feel better when they hear the word cancer from the doctor for the first time.

Have you seen the TV ads for drugs that treat metastatic breast cancer or small cell lung cancer? These make up a very small percentage of cancer patients and extend life for only a few months for most, but yet their drugs are expensive enough to justify spending millions on advertising. And to those marketing geniuses of MS drugs: I don’t want to see people active and playing sports during your commercials as I sit on the couch a few feet from my walker and wheelchair. Why don’t you show someone suffering from the side effects or giving them self an injection? Of course they are marketing to newly diagnosed individuals with the message their drug can help them live an active, healthy lifestyle. True for some but there are no guarantees. People not familiar with how MS works may get the perception these drugs can make you feel better or improve your current disease symptoms, which unfortunately is not true.

Specialty prescription drugs are a HUGE business. It is a vicious cycle. Pharmaceutical companies often fund research therefore they are more inclined to create new, highly profitable drugs rather than a cheaper alternative. And the laws in our country protect them partially because they have great lobbyists. I have a hard time throwing my support behind organizations that are funded by and support research for drug companies making billions off of their products.

Don’t misunderstand me. I do believe research is important. I think supporting cancer patients or anyone facing a life changing condition is an incredible thing to do. We have definitely made progress in finding better treatment options and helping to eradicate many diseases. And I do believe there are many good organizations that help patients attain a better quality of life or make their treatments easier to endure. If you are riding in the MS 150 or staying up all night for Relay for Life, I appreciate you. YOU are the ones who appreciate someone like ME.

The love and generosity that people have given me through all of my challenging times including my battle with cancer has been amazing. It’s the times in life that challenge us the most that bring out the best in people. But we have to stay focused on the mission and not get lost in the hype. While I understand that making jokes about boobs brings more attention to the cause, nothing about having a mastectomy is funny. I don’t want to be celebrated just because I have MS or survived cancer. I want to see a new era of disease promotion and fundraising that focuses more on prevention, patient support, and research by scientists willing to pursue new avenues. That I can support.